In Hong Kong, more than 13 million Octopus smart travelcards have been issued since 1997. The cards can be used to make cashless payments for goods and services at more than 300 locations, including fast-food outlets and parking operators.

In Japan, RFID-enabled mobile phones can be used to settle up at restaurants and petrol stations. The scheme is to be extended to include payment for taxis. The phones can also receive a signal from advertising posters and be used to make a purchase immediately.

Nottingham University Hospital’s NHS Trust has introduced smartcards that can be used to buy items in its restaurants and staff canteens (Computing, 29 March). The money is automatically deducted from employees’ pre-tax salaries.

In London, Barclaycard is testing a smartcard that combines the Oyster travelcard with credit and debit transactions and contactless purchases for low-value items in shops.