Press release, NFC trial

Oslo, November 26, 2007

Norwegian consumers will soon be able to use mobile phones as a convenient alternative to payment cards when making payments in shops.

DnB NOR and Telenor, represented by Telenor Nordic and Telenor Research and Innovation, are working with MasterCard World Wide to enable consumers to make ‘contactless’ payments via their mobile phones, using cutting-edge MasterCard® PayPass™ technology.

"As opposed to today's technology, the new, contactless technology can be adapted for mobile phones just as well as for payment cards," says Peer Theien, senior vice president, Group Payments and Infrastructure, DnB NOR.

Carlos Rodriguez, general manager, Nordic Region, MasterCard Europe, commented:

“We’re delighted that DnB NOR and Telenor have chosen MasterCard® PayPass to power the next generation of payments, with the launch of the first mobile trial of its kind in the Nordic region. The innovative combination of mobile and contactless payments gives consumers the choice of a new way to pay for everyday items that is faster, safer and more convenient than cash.”

Testing in spring 2008

DnB NOR, Telenor and MasterCard will test the technology among consumers and in shops in strategic places in the Oslo city centre, starting in the first half of 2008.

"Once the testing starts, it will be the first of its kind in the Nordic region and among the first in the world based on standardised components," says Hanne Sjursen, group manager, e-ID and e-Payments, Telenor.

She adds that the solution will be based on established standards in the Norwegian market, i.e. mobile phones equipped with NFC (Near Field Communication) SIM cards for secure storage of the payment program and personal data, and the MasterCard® PayPass payment solution.

International trend

New payment solutions based on contactless technology are being launched in markets throughout the world, including Europe, the US and Asia. The solutions are promoted by the large payment networks, such as MasterCard which as of 3Q2007 already has 19 million PayPass cards in use at over 73,000 merchants in 20 countries across the globe, and major mobile network stakeholders like GSM Association (GSMA).

Strategic cooperation

DnB NOR and Telenor are cooperating on future payment solutions and are at the forefront with respect to appurtenant technology and solutions.