MasterCard and mobile carrier Orange have announced a strategic agreement to improve and accelerate the delivery of mobile payment services in Spain. The companies announced their signed agreement at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.

The partners will work together to develop and deploy mobile payments technologies with the hope of Orange's subscribers in Spain safe and secure payment solutions, they said in an announcement of the venture.

"Thanks to this strong alliance we will be able to explore and provide the most suitable payment solutions, giving people across Spain the chance to shop and make payments easily and safely, wherever and whenever they are," said Pilar Aurrecoechea, MasterCard Spain and Portugal general director.

Alicia Calvo, Orange Spain innovation director, said the step would allow Orange to offer its customers mobile payment solutions that incorporate several technologies for the different scenarios of electronic payments. "The partnership between Orange and MasterCard allows us to combine the best capabilities to fulfill this promise," she said.

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