Everything Everywhere, Telefónica UK and Vodafone UK, the U.K.'s largest wireless carriers, today announced the creation of a new m-commerce joint venture (JV) between the companies to support the development and adoption of mobile payments in the U.K. The new JV is set to launch later this year.

According to the announcement, the new entity will be a single point of contact for merchants, marketers and financial institutions looking to enter the mobile payment market in the U.K. Through the JV, companies will be able to deliver secure, mobile versions of everything from credit and debit cards to tickets based on near field communications (NFC) technologies that can be used by consumers regardless of which NFC-enabled mobile device or wireless carrier they use.

"This groundbreaking new business will unlock the true potential of commerce in the wire-free world," Tom Alexander, CEO of Everything Everywhere, said in the announcement.

Alexander added that the JV is better for everyone looking to participate in mobile payments, from partners to consumers to financial institutions. "(H)aving a one-stop shop to deal with will make things quicker, easier and more efficient," he said.

The new joint venture is similar to the ISIS Network formed last year in the United States by wireless carriers Verizon Wireless, T-Mobile USA and AT&T Inc. to create a cooperative NFC payment method. ISIS is looking to begin trials of its technology early next year in Salt Lake City.