This was the first trial in Canada to use Bell Mobility's wireless network allowing trial participants to make purchases using their mobile device at MasterCard(R) PayPass acceptance locations across Canada. The four-month closed trial was a major step towards bringing mobile payments to Canadian mobile phone users.

"This mobile payment trial is one of the latest in a series of MasterCard global payment trials," says Scott Lapstra, Vice President, Market Development, MasterCard Canada. "The completion of this trial provides us with Canadian-specific data that will help prepare for the potential roll-out of mobile payment services in the future."

"As one of the first issuers to offer PayPass-enabled cards in Canada, we have always worked with MasterCard to find new, convenient payment solutions for consumers," says Richard McLaughlin, Chief Marketing Officer, Citi Cards Canada. "We believe that mobile payment has strong potential to become part of Canada's future payment landscape."

"Our objective is to achieve a common gateway and standardized consumer experience for mobile payments," said Almis Ledas, Vice President of Corporate Development at Bell Mobility. "This successful trial underlined both the security and the convenience of mobile payments."

About the trial

MasterCard continues to lead the global payments industry in creating and introducing new and advanced payment technologies by combining electronic payments with convenience. The trial took place at Bell Mobility's Creekbank office in Ontario and approximately 75 employees from Bell, Citi Cards and MasterCard participated. Trial participants proved that mobile payments are easy, fast and secure. The average transaction amount during the trial was just under $20, which is ideal for merchants in high-volume, small-ticket purchase businesses.