Consumers in Denmark can use a mobile phone to obtain cash from ATMs in a
pilot facilitated by two banks, Spar Nord Bank, and Laan & Spar Bank, and
technology providers, AU-System, and beamtrust. On approaching the ATM, the
consumer chooses the transaction type, amount and account details on their
phone, and enters their PIN into the phone at the ATM, to transmit the
details to the ATM via infrared technology. The ATM then processes the
transaction and dispenses the cash in what is the first pilot to test the
use of mobile phones to withdraw cash at a standard ATM, as opposed to a
concept model.

For now, infrared technology facilitates the transfer of details from the
mobile phone to the ATM, but as Bluetooth technology matures, the ATMs could
be adapted accordingly. The trial's focus is to assess how consumers adapt
to the substitution of a mobile phone for a magnetic-stripe card to withdraw
cash. One year ago, NCR developed its 'Freedom' concept ATM to work with
mobile devices to replace magnetic stripe cards carried by consumers.
Mobile-enabled vending machines are gaining traction in many world regions,
but NCR still sees its next-generation ATMs as ticket dispensers and
download ports.

Now that "people are using their mobile phones in [new] ways", says NCR's
CTO, Mark Grossi, this pilot "represents the first step in turning a concept
into reality". NCR will evaluate the trial's results before approaching
banks worldwide to develop similar projects, Grossi indicated. On the basis
that increased ATM transactions lead to higher revenue levels, E*Trade
Financial in the US has moved to enable customers to buy wireless minutes
with their ATM cards. With the maturing of wireless technologies, ATMs are
likely to have a role in facilitating mCommerce, as in the reloading of cash
for mobile wallets, for example.


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Amra the Freelancer
www.amra.pl