Intelligent CIO Europe Issue13 | Page 8

NEWS Apple Pay coming to boon’s customers in Germany Germany’s 5G future threatened if mobile concerns are ignored W irecard, a global innovation leader in digital financial technology, brings its German boon customers Apple Pay, which is transforming mobile payments with an easy, secure and private way to pay that’s fast and convenient. Wirecard consequently drives forward the digitisation of payments to approach new consumers. As of now, the iOS boon app is available at the App Store to users of iOS devices in Germany. Which makes it possible for everybody to use Apple Pay instantly. Users can top up their boon account using any Mastercard or Visa credit card and via bank transfer. As a result, it is not necessary to already own a credit card from a bank supported by Apple Pay. Security and privacy are at the core of Apple Pay. When you use the boon card information with Apple Pay, the actual card numbers are not stored on the device, nor on Apple servers. Instead, a unique device account number is assigned, encrypted and securely stored in the Secure Element on your device. Each transaction is authorised with a one-time unique dynamic security code. Georg von Waldenfels, Executive Vice President Consumer Solutions at Wirecard, said: “We welcome the launch of Apple Pay in Germany. We are delighted to now offer boon via Apple Pay to all owners of an Apple device. Together with Apple Pay, we are further enhancing the user experience for consumers and thus advancing the digitisation of payment processes globally.” Apple Pay is easy to set up and users will continue to receive all of the rewards and benefits offered by credit and debit cards. T he GSMA, representing the interests of mobile operators worldwide, has raised concerns that the proposed terms of the upcoming 5G spectrum award in Germany from the Federal Network Agency contains unreasonable and unrealistic license conditions that pose a substantial risk to the rollout of ultra-fast 5G networks across the country. While the GSMA has welcomed the German government’s decision to release the entire 3.4 to 3.8 GHz band (C-Band), essential for the future development of 5G services globally, the conditions on the allocation of these vital frequencies jeopardise Germany’s 5G deployment. “The mobile industry is essential to delivering on Germany’s vision for 5G 8 INTELLIGENTCIO leadership. We are alarmed that – despite real and substantial concerns raised by the mobile industry on the original proposals – the proposed terms make the situation worse by doubling down on unrealistic conditions that puts Germany’s 5G future at risk,” said Mats Granryd, Director General, GSMA. “Operators in Germany have invested billions in the country’s networks and have proven through history that they are committed to investing and providing innovative services. “German consumers and businesses will be the ones to lose out from unreasonable obligations that make investment in 5G rollout uneconomical.” www.intelligentcio.com