50% of Finns already use mobile phones to make reservations, purchase tickets and pay

Luottokunta, BookIt Oy, and Microsoft have already started to collaborate to develop the world's first authentication service. Through iSMS, the service can make mobile payments on any mobile phone and through any carrier. Luottokunta eMobile is a digital service based on a new authentication method that provides consumers with an easy way to purchase services while providing manufacturers with a flexible way to increase sales.

The advantage of iSMS is that using this service does not require the addition of accessories or applications on the phone. Earlier systems were based on validating mobile phones and their users. To do this, the phone's SIM card requires a separate certificate. As for the iSMS, its system is completely within the network and does not require a separate certificate or mobile wallet. Any card registered by the consumer for this service can be used as payment method. Verification is implemented as a cloud service, creating an unforgeable "fingerprint" for each transaction in the process.

BookIt CEO Jukka Salonen explains: “There are already 3.7 million Finns using iSMS in a variety of services. One of the most popular services is undoubtedly the check-in service. The latest development is the iSMS can be used for more Service payments. Business travelers do not have time to queue up for additional services, and Finnair believes that when their services can be easily ordered and paid via mobile phones, their services will become more popular."

For the end user, the service appears as an ordinary message sent by the service provider to the customer. In order to verify themselves and make payments, the customer responds to the text message, for example by entering a special letter.

Heikki Kapanen, Chief Executive Officer of Luottokunta, said: “This is not an easy-to-fake generic SMS. The verification is extremely secure. The payment transaction has been conducted within the Luottokunta system, which makes Luottokunta responsible for data protection. eMobile is a very unique one. The service is not only easy to use but extremely secure. Mobile payments using VISA and MasterCard have never been easier."

Due to its ease of use and quick features, mobile payments are suitable for repetitive daily payments such as travel or movie tickets, subscriptions, parking fees, and vending machines and online purchases. For example, Finnair customers will be able to pay for onboard purchases or airport services via SMS. Finnair is not the only public transportation company in Finland interested in mobile payment potential. In addition, companies in the field of entertainment and e-commerce are also deliberating.

Luottokunta's eMobile service is provided free of charge to consumers. In addition to Finnish payment cards, it can also be used with European credit or debit cards. The cost of the service is paid by the company that uses the service.

Case study of a new mobile payment solution being used: Finnair

Finnair has been using BookIt's iSMS service for several years. Passengers are very satisfied with these services because they are easy to use, suitable for any mobile phone and can be provided by any operator.

Finnair Director Tom Källström stated that today's business travelers want to get basic services as quickly as possible at the lowest possible price. The most popular service to date has been the use of iSMS to check in and send text messages to mobile phones when changes occur. Most passengers do not have time to queue up for additional services using traditional payment methods. Källström believes that people will be willing to use more value-added services if they can use mobile payment conveniently.

Källström concludes by saying: “People who travel often want basic services as quickly and as efficiently as possible. With this new mobile payment system, airlines can now provide personalized services and passengers can easily use these services.”