A group of companies in Austria, including mobile network operators T-Mobile and Three, have joined forces to launch an initiative aimed at creating an open, nationwide standard for mobile wallets.

Based on NFC-based smartphone applications, mobile wallet consumers will not only be able to make contactless payments but also use loyalty cards, vouchers and coupons.

Other members of the initiative include Austria Card, Card Complete, Erste Bank und Sparkassen, First Data Austria, MasterCard, Nexperts, PayLife Bank and Visa.

An NFC-SIM card is to be provided by the mobile operators to ensure security.

The first tests are already up and running, while a nationwide pilot project is due to start in autumn 2013.

Commercial services are slated for 2014.