Earlier this week it was MasterCard and Deutsche Telekom announcing a partnership to drive mobile payments and commerce in Europe. Now it's Visa's turn. Visa Europe and Telefónica Digital announced they have formed a partnership to develop new products and services, including NFC and mobile point of sale, for Telefónica's European subscribers.

Telefónica Digital is the business development, investment and R&D unit for Spanish telecom giant Telefónica. Telefónica's brands in Europe include O2 and Movistar. The company has more than 103 million customers across its European footprint

"Visa has been an important partner for a number of years in Europe, helping us to trial, test and ultimately launch mobile payments products," said Joaquin Mata, director of financial services at Telefónica Digital. "This market has enormous untapped potential and through this partnership with Visa Europe we aim to unlock significant new business opportunities."

Telefónica and Visa Europe have collaborated in several markets already. The companies are offering a mobile wallet service to subscribers in the U.K.; expansion of the service to other European companies is in the works.

"[Telefónica and Visa Europe] have worked together for many years to deliver mobile payments and service showcases across some of the most innovative countries in Europe," said Visa Europe EVP for Product and Marketing Solutions, Mariano Dima. "This partnership will deliver mainstream, commercial mobile payments on an international level," he said.

Telefónica said mobile commerce is a key focus area of its new digital unit and its relationship with Visa Europe will support the development of mobile commerce and payments services. 

Additionally, Telefónica said it is committed to striking wide-ranging, open partnerships with a range of companies to develop mobile commerce services.

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