Orange and Visa Europe announced the commercial launch of Orange Cash in Caen and Strasbourg, two of the cities with the highest use of contactless payments in France. With the launch Orange becomes the first mobile network operator in France to offer mobile contactless payments to its customers. Orange Cash will be rolled out throughout France in 2014.
The Orange Cash application acts as a ‘mobile purse’, taking the form of a Visa prepaid card on a phone. In order to take full advantage of the Visa contactless payment solution, Orange customers who have an NFC smartphone compatible with Orange Cash will have to go into an Orange store. Once the app has been downloaded, users are just a few clicks away from activating the service – regardless of their bank. The process is very simple, with no obligation and no paperwork, according to the press release.
The Orange Cash application is based on a prepaid account that customers can top up via any debit or credit bank card. Once the app has been topped up, customers can use the smartphone like any other wallet, in any retail outlet that accepts Visa contactless payments worldwide.
To make a payment, users simply have to place their mobile on a payment terminal that accepts contactless payment. A passcode chosen by the user will be required for any payment over the contactless limit (note: this limit varies by country). Users can view their transactions in real time and check their account balance, which is instantly updated.
Orange Cash customers will have access to exclusive offers from a number of popular French retailers. These retailers can be located by using the application’s GPS function. Once the customer has activated the service through the Orange Cash app, the retailers will then share special offers and promotions available at their shops.
To mark the service launch, Orange Cash customers who activate their account before June 30th will be credited €10, with an additional €25 credit on making €100 worth of mobile contactless payments.
Delphine Ernotte Cunci, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Senior Executive Vice President Orange France, says: „The launch of Orange Cash in Caen and Strasbourg embodies Orange’s ambition to provide our customers with an innovative service that simplifies the daily lives of our customers and provides a new stimulus for local commerce. Orange Cash will be rolled out throughout France in 2014.”
Gérard Nébouy, Executive Director of Visa Europe France, adds: „The strategic partnership between Visa Europe and Orange is extremely important in order to support the growth of mobile payments. Our agreement will allow consumers to enjoy all the benefits of Orange’s expertise and Visa’s technologies in a local, trusted and secure environment, which is the hallmark of Visa payments.”
Orange Cash is a solution designed and managed with Wirecard Card Solutions, a member of Visa Europe.
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