Bluetooth low energy (BLE) radio technology facilitates contactless data transfer at a distance of up to 10 metres. Using micro transmitters ("beacons"), BLE provides location-based services that are communicated to the point of sale for mobile marketing activities. As soon as a customer comes within the range of the beacons, retailers can take advantage of an additional communication channel and send personalised offers to the customer's mobile device. These include discounts, special offers and loyalty schemes that are directly related to the customer's current location within the store. BLE has already been integrated into a number of Apple, Google and Windows smartphone operating systems.

"As one of the first payment companies in the world, Wirecard consistently relies on the BLE standard and connects mobile payment with mobile marketing and value added services. We are setting new benchmarks in the field of contactless mobile payment with this solution," commented Jörn Leogrande, Executive Vice President of Mobile Services at Wirecard. "We are convinced that Bluetooth low energy will establish itself as an additional standard for data transfer."

Retailers can reach their customers directly via new communication channels using BLE payment technology and approach them with targeted loyalty offers. Any marketing campaign can be controlled very simply by personalised, real-time apps that offer payment and value-added services.

Wirecard will also be presenting the entirety of its Mobile Wallet platform at the Mobile World Congress, starting with technical solutions for contactless payment such as NFC and QR codes, to Mobile Wallets and innovative M-POS products and services, such as the Mobile Card Reader.