Isis, the mobile payment joint-venture between three of the leading US operators, has announced that handset vendors HTC, LG, Motorola Mobility, RIM, Samsung and Sony Ericsson will introduce NFC-enabled devices that implement Isis’ NFC and technology standards. The operators are also working with DeviceFidelity, a US firm that specialises in microSD cards and NFC-enabled handset cases, so that conventional handsets can access NFC-based services.

This latest development means that Isis has hit back fast in an attempt to regain the initiative from Google Wallet, which launched last week. Google’s service is currently only available on one handset: the Nexus S 4G model sold by US operator Sprint. However, Motorola, which has signed-up as an Isis partner, is in the process of being acquired by Google. “Through working with Isis as well as the broader Android ecosystem, we look forward to providing consumers with NFC-enabled handsets that make mobile commerce a reality,” said Christy Wyatt, Motorola’s corporate vice president of software and services product management.

Although offering a rapid riposte to Google Wallet, Isis’ announcement does not say when the Isis-enabled handsets will launch or spell out the extent of the vendors’ commitment. Isis will start rolling out its mobile payment service next year. And not every leading handset manufacturer is signed up to Isis: Nokia and Apple are absent.

Isis is an alliance between operators AT&T, T-Mobile USA and Verizon Wireless