Cellphones As A Payment Method?

Does technology ever fail to surprise? As if people aren’t already addicted enough to their wireless phones, a trio of companies are trying to make cellphones even more indispensable, by further integrating the devices into our daily lives. How? By making cellphones a viable payment method. Really.

Big name companies Visa, RBC, and Rogers Wireless are launching a wireless phone payment trial where a select group of Canadians will begin paying for purchases with a swipe of their mobile phone. The trial is scheduled to begin sometime in the middle of 2009, and is based in Canada.

Of course, special phones (from Motorola) with special chips will be issued to those participating, and, to begin, it will only be a payment option at selected participating stores. Basically though, the user will swipe their phone for an instant payment, sort of like some of the fast-pay credit cards that are currently available.

Personally, while it’s certainly an inventive use for wireless phones, I find the concept a little worrisome if it should become mainstream. I mean, what if you lose your cellphone, which is much more common than misplacing a wallet? Will a waive a thievery result? Anyhow, it is an interesting idea, and if carefully implemented, will be one to watch.

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