Most consumers now prefer to pay for their purchases electronically rather than with cash. This offers retailers the opportunity to get closer to the consumer. The spread of contactless payment in recent years, due to the pandemic, has accelerated this transition and thereby improved the user experience.

New possibilities

Retailers are increasingly relying on payment terminals a built-in SIM card. An example of this is a mobile shop like food trucks or other kind of mobile commerce. With such a device, someone with a mobile commerce or mobile shop can more easily offer its customers the option of paying for their purchases electronically. Thanks to this mobile connectivity, smart vending machines (i.e. machines with a built-in electronic payment terminal) are becoming more prevalent.

Furthermore, the development of electric transport in Europe, including the roll-out of the charging point network, relies on the mobile network allowing drivers of electric vehicles to pay for charging their battery wherever they are and whatever the time happens to be.

An additional guarantee for traditional businesses

The use of payment terminals based on the mobile network is also of interest for traditional and more classic shops.

Mobile connectivity is a back-up solution in case of failure of the landline or WiFi.

The availability of electronic payment services is critical for a retailer. When the terminal fails, the retailer is unable to make sales and generate the revenue necessary to sustain the business and therefore may be at risk of suffering what can quickly amount to substantial losses.

Low data volumes and a great deal of autonomy

More and more payments are made via the mobile network since the roll-out of 2G. The low volume of data exchanged in a transaction means that the terminals used require little energy input. Battery-operated devices can operate completely autonomously for long periods.

Guaranteeing service availability

Payment in a mobile context implies that certain issues must be taken into consideration, to guarantee the availability and efficiency of the service.

Today, these exchanges can also rely on the latest network technologies, such as LTE-M and more recently 5G, providing greater autonomy and security.

It is essential to be able to guarantee access to a mobile network, wherever you are, so that every transaction can be effective.

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