Rogers and CIBC launch Suretap, a NFC mobile payment service

Finally, Canadians can now get rid of the good old credit card. Well, at least that’s the dream.
Rogers and the local bank CIBC are partnering to make the dream of NFC mobile payments a reality for Canadians. The two companies announced an agreement to launch Suretap, the country’s first joint mobile payment solution, which will allow CIBC credit card holders to pay using their Rogers NFC-enabled smartphone.
Although Canada is somehow lagging in the tap-and-go payment wave as compared to the US and European countries, the launch of dedicated carrier-bank ventures is a significant step in making the wallet old news.
Partner to the launch event was the Tim Hortons cafes chain, where local Olympic triathlete Simon Whitfield purchased a cup of coffee using a Rogers BlackBerry smartphone, paired with a CIBC credit card account.
Okay, Rogers is able to sell the technology convincingly to me! But what is less convincing to me is the carrier’s loyalty to RIM. It is also surprising that with a host of amazing Android based NFC devices available, Rogers opted to jump on the sinking ship by rolling out the service exclusively on BlackBerry devices. It will be interesting to see the uptake of the service, as many customers are switching to iPhone and Android phones. No timelines were revealed, but the companies say that the Suretap service will be available for Android, WP, and other platforms.
So Canadians, are you willing to lighten your pockets to get this payment ability? Tell us what do you think of NFC-based payments. Are you excited? Skeptic?

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Square is going international, with Canada as its first market outside US

Square is revolutionizing the mobile payments business. The company lets business and store owners accept payments through their iPhone, iPad or Android device through an add-on accessory. Initially launched in the U.S., Square is gradually opening to an international market, with Canada as its first step.
“We are focused on making commerce easy for everyone. Square builds free tools for local businesses of all sizes and types to thrive,” says Alyssa Cutright, vice president of international at Square.
Square offers its card reader for free, and charges a 2.75% fee per transaction. The accessory plugs into an iOS or Android device’s audio jack, and accepts payments from swiped credit cards. Square promises next-day deposits so store-owners don’t  have to wait long to get their funds. The company also offers the use of its Square Register app, which is a point-of-sale service that businesses can use to track inventory. Square also features a Square Directory, where business owners can promote their establishment.
One concern that TechCrunch notes, though, is that Canadian credit and debit cards mostly prefer to initiate payment through smart card rather than magnetic strip. But going beyond swiping credit cards, Square has actually partnered with establishments for card-less payments with its Pay With Square feature. As such, the company is not limited to credit cards, but may actually open to additional payment protocols in future.
Expanding to Canada makes sense, given its proximity and language. But apart from North America, Square is rumored to have plans to expand to other regions, including Asia.

SOURCES TechCrunch Square Register on Google Play

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