Mobile payment system launched

Standardised scheme will protect mobile consumers

PayForIt scheme will enable mobile shopping

A payment service allowing consumers to make low-value purchases using their mobile phone went live on Saturday.

PayForIt is a standardised service agreed by mobile operators Orange, Vodafone, T-Mobile, 3 and O2 that allows people to make one-off payments or set up a subscription service through their phone.

The providers have accredited intermediaries that will operate a trusted payment scheme to ensure consumers are protected while making mobile purchases.

Consumers will be able to buy goods for less than £10, such as ringtones, train tickets and parking fees. Mobile games providers I-play and Gameloft, mapping company Multimap and mobile phone company Samsung already offering the service.

PayForIt ensures the payment process is transparent and consistent, the scheme operators said, regardless of the handset a consumer is using.

The payment scheme began operating on 1 September.