A Norwegian payment app called “Vipps” is the first in the world to launch a payment app competing with Apple Pay on iPhones.
“We have fought for years to be able to compete on equal footing with Apple, and it feels almost surreal to finally be able to launch our very own solution. This will now be a very exciting battle between the world’s biggest brand and Vipps,” says Rune Garborg, CEO of Vipps MobilePay on the company’s website.
Apple has an agreement with European regulators to open its NFC technology to third parties for free. All thanks to the European Commission’s July 2024 regulations, which Apple is committed to opening up the iOS ecosystem including mobile payment systems for competitors.
Therefore, Apple allows users to use alternative mobile payment apps on the iPhone as their default option. On December 9, Vipps announced the official beginning of contactless payments in Norway using iPhones. The service supports SpareBank 1, DNB in collaboration with BankAxept, and Thales. It almost regulates other 40 Norwegian banks, including approximately 70% of Norwegian bank users.
Garborg said that Vipps is the one-stop destination for all kinds of payments such as paying in stores, with friends, and online payment to organizations and associations. Additionally, users can “request money, join customer clubs, collect money for private purposes, share bills, create wish lists, and send monetary gifts.”
Payment through Vipps allows users to set Vipps as their default app by enabling a double-click side button, similar to Apple Pay. Vipps accepts BankAxept cards, which cover 90% of payment terminals in Norway.
Moreover, Vipps’ manager pointed out that the team aims to expand its tap-to-pay services to Denmark Finland, and Sweden in 2025.
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