BT retail partnership engineers out card readers

BT Group’s “digital and startup incubation arm” - known as Etc. - has partnered with Adyen to enable small business customers to accept in-person contactless payments with Tap to Pay on iPhone. In a statement, BT group describes Adyen as “the global financial technology platform of choice for leading businesses.”

Photo credit: Adobe Stock/ronstik

Tap to Pay on iPhone allows merchants to accept physical debit and credit cards as well as digital wallets, thereby removing the need for on site card readers.

Discussing the BT Tap to Pay app, a spokesperson for the company said: “[It] has been created with input and feedback from small businesses, mobile workers and sole traders across the UK to deliver a reliable payments solution with the specific needs of SMEs.

“Tap to Pay on iPhone and the BT Tap to Pay app [also] include built-in security and privacy features, the ability to view payment history at a glance, and a simplified refund process. The partnership combines EE’s connectivity with Adyen’s global expertise in mobile payments to make contactless payments easier for customers.”

UK managing director at Adyen, Nicole Olbe, said: “We’re excited to be working with BT to bring a brilliant, trusted service to BT’s one million small business customers.

“Tap to Pay on iPhone and the BT Tap to Pay app provide a secure and fast checkout experience that increases mobility on location and allows for a convenient and secure way to pay. This innovation has simplified in-person payments and removed the dependence small businesses have faced with payment hardware.”