Brazil's Vivo starts selling mPOS payments devices
Vivo, the Brazilian mobile telecoms subsidiary of Spain's Telefónica, has started selling the Vivo Mobile Rede mPOS card acceptance device in its stores in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, Computerworld reports. (Note: The story is written in Portuguese.)
According to Computerworld, Vivo is currently selling its mobile card reader technology, which enables smartphones and tablets to accept payments, in 12 stores on a pilot basis. The number of Vivo stores offering the technology will be expanded by the start of 2014.
The device roll-out is the result of Vivo's partnership with Brazilian card acquirer Rede (formerly known as Redecard) to provide mobile payment services to Brazilian merchants. The device uses Wi-Fi connections or 3G mobile networks to link to card networks, and can accept all major card brands.
Separately, in November, Vivo awarded a contract to Gemalto to provide a trusted service manager platform so Vivo's mobile subscribers can make NFC payments. As part of the deal, Vivo is also deploying Gemalto's UpTeq NFC SIM cards in its smartphones.
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