Fime, a global leader in consulting and market integration testing services for smart devices and secure chip-based applications, has tested and certified Qatar National Bank's (QNBs) contactless mobile payments solution for its compliance to MasterCard PayPass Specifications.
The pilot project, which began roll-out in March this year, is Qatar's first near field communication (NFC) payments initiative.
The contactless mobile payments programme provides QNB customers and merchants with a convenient and quick way to make and accept payments through the use of NFC-enabled handsets and point-of-sale (POS) contactless terminals. The mobile payments project is part of a phased implementation plan where QNB will work closely with project participants to deploy contactless POS terminals in Qatar's leading NFC cities.
FIME's ISO 17025 accredited laboratories performed on and off-site test evaluations on mobile handsets, Universal Integrated Circuit Card (UICC) and POS contactless terminals to confirm compliance with MasterCard PayPass Specifications and provide the necessary certification.
Abdulla Nasser Al Khalifa, Assistant General Manager Retail at QNB, comments: "Developing and launching a nationwide contactless mobile payment pilot required a multidisciplinary approach due to the various stakeholders involved. Testing and certification was therefore vital in ensuring interoperability and standardisation. With its global experience and regional presence, we were keen to work with FIME to engage with the various stakeholders and ensure products could be confidently brought to market and form part of a trusted contactless mobile payments infrastructure."
Pascal le Ray, General Manager at FIME, comments: "When developing a mobile contactless payments ecosystem, it is important that each technology element fully integrates to create a secure and interoperable payment environment for the customer. With vast experience in the contactless payment market, FIME is able to act as a central point to a range of stakeholders and offer guidance through its consulting, testing and certification services, ensuring the successful delivery of products."
Regarding FIME's offering in the Middle East, Pascal continues: "FIME has been establishing its commercial presence in the region for over a year now and is looking forward to expanding its offering to provide local support to domestic payment schemes and migration to mobile and contactless payments."