Operator-backed Buyster will launch its payment service, which aims to make online transactions more secure using mobile phones, on Sept. 13, the company said on Thursday.
Buyster was born in February, when operators Bouygues Telecom, Orange, SFR and IT services company Atos formed it. Originally, the service was planned to launch in the middle of the year.
To use the service, mobile subscribers first need to register with Buyster, which enables a bank card to be linked to the user's cell phone number in a secure way. To make an online payment, users first enter their mobile phone number and password. They then receive a message with a one-time password that is entered on the website to finalize the transaction, according to Orange. In this way, users no longer have to share their card number with the online retailer.
Buyster will be free and available on all mobile devices, regardless of the operator.
A number of companies have already said they will let their customers use Buyster to secure transactions, including Boulanger and Darty, which sell home electronics, and general online retailer RueDuCommerce.
A total of 30,000 retailers will be able to use the service as soon as it launches, according to Buyster.