About two weeks ago, Microsoft shared that smartphones which will run on Windows 10 will also support NFC (Near Field Communication) payments. That left the door open for a further surprising, or not that much surprising announcement. Namely, which payment system will Windows 10 use? Unlike the other tech giants on today’s technology market Microsoft Corp. has still not introduced a mobile payment system of its own. However, new information suggests that the U.S. company may finally make its move on the market for mobile payment solutions.
Newly-surfaced details show that Microsoft has already filed for a money transmitter license. In its application, the company shared that the transmitter will be used in every state in the U.S. In fact, last month, Idaho has granted the company a permission to use this service on its territory.
Furthermore, it also turned out, Microsoft has founded a subsidiary company called Microsoft Payments Inc. It was this off-the-radar company that filed for the payment transmitter license.
So far, the company has neither confirmed, nor denied the news. In response to media requests for information, officials said that they “do not have any product announcements at this time.” Still, they also admitted that a money service would certainly allow Microsoft the opportunity to offer “new, innovative cloud services” to consumers.
In the past, Bill Gates has also expressed his approval of mobile payment platforms and developments. Soon after Apple announced its Apple Pay, Gates exclaimed that the service was a “fantastic idea.” Therefore, Microsoft Corp. certainly has some ambitions in this field.
Nevertheless, even if mobile payments were not part of Microsoft’s plan a while ago, they are now about to turn into a priority for the company. Windows is the only mobile operating platform from the big players that still has not unveiled any major mobile payment solution. Consumers who rely iOS and Android devices have the freedom to use their gadgets to pay for various items and services. That, however, is still not the case with Windows smartphones.
In addition, Microsoft has run out of safety pillows to fall on. Until recently, the company’s Windows mobile OS was able to provide customers with a mobile payment alternative through a Softcard app. But soon after Google acquired Softcard, their Windows app was quickly taken down from the market.
Therefore, Microsoft has nowhere to hide or run. Sooner or later, it will have to make its move on the mobile payments market. It is expected that the company will share more information on its Microsoft Pay plans (if any) during its upcoming Microsoft Build 2015 event.
