Orange and Barclaycard form strategic partnership to bring mobile payments to millions

• Communication and banking giants to jointly develop new technology that will revolutionise the way people pay on the high street and web
• The launch of new products and services will allow customers to use their mobile to pay and stay in better control of their finances
• Combined customer base of 28 million to benefit from new plans

Orange and Barclaycard today announced a long term strategic partnership to develop a range of mobile, financial and payment services that will change the way we pay.

Orange and Barclaycard will launch new co-branded products and services to make the buying process more convenient, simpler and faster. With a history of innovation and a combined customer base of more than 28 million, Orange and Barclaycard believe this will be the biggest revolution in payments since plastic cards were introduced over 40 years ago.

Customers will be able to use their mobiles to pay for goods and services at retailers using contactless technology; by simply waving their handset against a reader. Both companies will be looking to expand the partnership to include other contactless services within ticketing, transport and rewards. MasterCard will provide the payment capabilities for the transactions.

The partnership between Barclaycard and Orange will also enable market-leading mobile alerts, servicing capabilities and new banking applications, all of which will help customers keep in control of their finances while on the move.

Over the next few months customers will start to see the benefits of the partnership with a host of marketing opportunities currently being finalised by Orange and Barclaycard.

Tom Alexander, CEO of Orange UK, said: “Today you pay for things by cash or on your credit card. Tomorrow, you’ll use your mobile to buy the things you want, whether that’s on the high street or the internet. These are the services that will change the way we live and work for the better, and are evolving the way we interact with each other and the way that companies serve us.

“The mobile industry is being looked to more and more by companies wanting to evolve the way they do business with their customers, and a key part of our strategy at Orange is to grow and evolve our business in order to provide people with services beyond talk and text. This new partnership with Barclaycard is at the forefront of that kind of thinking, and our customers will benefit from the leading-edge technology that both Orange and Barclaycard can provide.”

Antony Jenkins, CEO of Barclaycard, said: “This partnership brings together a leader in communications and the UK’s leading payments brand with the aim of revolutionising the way people pay. There has been a lot of talk about mobile payments and now it’s going to become a reality for our customers because of Barclaycard’s commitment to contactless technology and the coming together of two dynamic and imaginative organisations.

“Both Barclaycard and Orange have a heritage of innovation and can see how mobile communications and payments can come together for the benefit of our customers. I believe that all our UK customers will be able to use their mobile phones to pay for everyday items within three years.”

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Notes to Editors:

The mobile contactless services being developed by Barclaycard and Orange will use Near-Field Communications (NFC) - or contactless – technology. Barclaycard has been a leader in contactless technology in the UK, and now has more than 1.5 million contactless enabled cards in issue – with this number expected to reach 6 million, including Barclays debit cards, by the end of 2009 - and will soon have at least 10,000 contactless terminals installed at retail outlets. With Barclaycard contactless terminals installed, retailers are able to offer their customers a fast and convenient method of payment on all transactions of £10 and under. Cardholders simply need to touch their card against the reader instead of entering a PIN or signature.

Orange is a pioneer in mobile payment technology and since 2005, has completed a number of successful mobile contactless trials in France, Spain and the UK. This strategic agreement with Barclaycard in the UK demonstrates Orange’s continued leadership in innovation and industry collaboration to help customers get more out of their mobile phones.

For more information on Orange’s innovation in NFC please visit: http://www.orange.com/en_EN/innovation/develop/nfc

About Barclaycard Barclaycard, part of Barclays Global and Retail Commercial Banking division, is a leading global payment business which understands the needs of both purchasers and sellers. It enables retailers and merchants to accept cards, helps customers make payments through card, contactless and mobile applications as well as extending credit to consumers.

The company is one of the pioneers of new forms of payments and is at the forefront of developing viable contactless and mobile payment schemes for today and cutting edge forms of payment for the future. It also issues credit and charge cards to corporate customers and the UK Government. Barclaycard partners with a wide range of organisations across the globe to offer their customers or members payment options and credit.

In addition to the UK, Barclaycard operates in the United States, Europe, Africa and the Middle and Far East.

Key facts published in February 2009:

• number of UK customers: 11.7m
• number of International customers: 11.6m
• number of retailer/merchant relationships: 89,000

About MasterCard Worldwide MasterCard Worldwide advances global commerce by providing a critical economic link among financial institutions, businesses, cardholders and merchants worldwide. As a franchisor, processor and advisor, MasterCard develops and markets payment solutions, processes approximately 21 billion transactions each year, and provides industry-leading analysis and consulting services to financial-institution customers and merchants. Powered by the MasterCard Worldwide Network and through its family of brands, including MasterCard®, Maestro® and Cirrus®, MasterCard serves consumers and businesses in more than 210 countries and territories. For more information go to http://www.mastercard.com.

For more information contact:
Orange UK Press Office t: 0870 373 1500 e: orangepr@golinharris.com

About Orange

Orange is a key brand of the France Telecom Group, providing mobile, broadband, fixed, business and entertainment services across Europe. It is one of the world's leading telecommunications operators with more than 182 million customers on five continents.

In June, 2006, Orange became the single brand for mobile, broadband and multi-play offers. In addition, Orange Business Services became the new banner for business communications solutions. Orange Business Services is present in 166 countries with network reach in 220.

In the UK, Orange provides high quality GSM coverage to 99% of the UK population. At the end of December 2008, Orange had about 17 million customers in the UK – 15.9 million active mobile customers and over one million fixed broadband customers.

Orange and any other Orange product or service names included in this material are trade marks of Orange Personal Communications Services Limited.

Further information about Orange can be found on the Orange website at http://www.orange.co.uk or the France Telecom group international website at http://www.orange.com and http://www.francetelecom.com

For further information, call the Orange press office on 0870 373 1500 or email: Orangepr@golinharris.com