Dutch operator KPN is to work with leading local banks ABN Amro, ING and Rabobank on a pilot of NFC mobile payments starting this summer in the city of Leiden.

The pilot, which will also involve the city’s municipality and MasterCard, will use 1,000 KPN subscribers who also hold an account with one of the three banks.

The three banks have established a new group called Mobile Payment Netherlands for the pilot which will run until the end of 2013. The banks will then decide how they wish to proceed with NFC on an individual basis.

Originally, the three banks established a joint venture with the country’s three leading mobile operators (KPN, Vodafone and T-Mobile) to build NFC infrastructure. The Sixpack venture was launched in September 2010 but broke up last summer. The partners blamed the complexity of acquiring regulatory clearance for its failure.

During this year’s trial, mobile payments will be possible in 50-80 shops, restaurants and bars around the city. Transactions with a value of up to EUR25 will be made without the need for a PIN. However, larger amounts will require the use of a PIN.