NTT to Launch 'iD' Credit Card Brand for Mobile Payments

iD will enhance existing credit card services by giving credit card owners the option of making payments via a DoCoMo wallet phone linked to the card, in addition to conventional payments with their plastic credit card.

The payment procedure will be as simple as waving the phones in front of dedicated reader/writers at stores. No signature will be required for purchases under a certain amount, while purchases exceeding this amount will require the user to simply enter a password via a device linked to the reader/writer.

In addition to enjoying secure payments with iD, DoCoMo users will also benefit from security features built into their DoCoMo wallet phones. A user can, for example, call a designated phone number to immediately lock a misplaced or stolen phone. Also, a user can choose to make all payments require a password.

Applications for iD will be accepted through credit card issuers. Once the application is accepted, the user will download an i-appli™ application into their handset and choose various settings for using the service.

The DoCoMo handsets initially compatible with iD will be all 902i series (coming soon) and 901iS series models, and the F901iC, N901iC, SH901iC, F900iC, SH506iC, SO506iC and P506iC models. Compatibility will differ, however, depending on the card issuer, so users are asked to contact their card issuer for details.

DoCoMo will continue to enhance the convenience of its "Osaifu-Keitai" wallet service for cashless payments to further integrate handsets into everyday life. In addition, DoCoMo plans to offer services as a credit card issuer using the iD brand in the first half of fiscal 2006.

Source: NTT DoCoMo