Mobile Payment Solution

Customer: Central European Mobile Operator

The challenge

Our customer wanted to introduce to the market a mobile payment service to leverage their existing subscriber base, and to complement traditional methods such as credit and debit cards by enabling mobile subscribers to turn their mobile phone into a payment instrument.

The solution

The customer involved different partners to create a complete solution; HERMES SoftLab designed and implemented a backend software solution that includes the processing center and integration with mobile infrastructure, merchants and financial institutions. The system is based on a mobile payment terminal developed by a Slovenian High-Tech vendor using voice channel as communication layer. The solution is a mobile payment system that enables mobile users to purchase products on vending machines or in retail stores with their mobile phones.

The system is designed to leverage the infrastructure and expertise of two kinds of entities: mobile operators and financial institutions (banks, credit card issuers). The existing mobile phone network is being used to carry financial data which is then used with the existing processing centers used for credit card authorization processing which are interconnected through Web Services and Integration middleware.

The project initiated involved HERMES SoftLab as a development and integration partner. HERMES SoftLab designed and implemented a back end system that provides connectivity to the mobile network and securely interconnects mobile operator’s billing systems, credit card issuers and bank’s systems. As part of the solution we have delivered the following modules:

• Processing Center (MPC)

  • Provisioning of the issuers, acquirers, access points, customers and terminals

  • Routes authorization and charging request to proper issuer and acquirer processing center

• Access Point

  • Accepts incoming calls and connects with NE (Network Equipment)

  • Performs terminal and customer authentication

  • Routes authorization and charging request to the MPC

• Issuer & acquirer management modules

The benefits

• Development of new revenue streams from existing bank and operator’s customer base

• Enhance ARPU through increased voice and data traffic through the ability to pay for digital goods

• Empower the subscriber with a new payment tool with his/her current mobile phone

• Launch new payments services (e.g.. top-up for pre-paid users, ticketing) and merchants in very short-time