LIVE FROM THE GSMA’S NFC & MOBILE MONEY SUMMIT, NEW YORK: Canadian operator Rogers Wireless advocated a slow and steady approach to the introduction of mobile payments, with stages that progress from copying existing credit cards before, it hopes, enacting a more radical upheaval to payments.

David Robinson (pictured), VP emerging business, Rogers Wireless, said: “Our end-game is to transform commerce” but the strategy is a gradual one.

The first phase, which started in 2012, is to emulate existing credit cards and, in Robinson’s words, “don’t disrupt existing infrastructure”. In the second phase, which started this year, the aim was to improve on existing payments.

The operator, which has partnered with local bank CIBC on its Suretap service, has issued a mobile wallet preloaded on every device, or can be embedded in the USIM or  changed out on user request. The aim has been to familiarise users with making payments using a mobile device.

Phase three, which starts next year, is to “transform the experience”, said Robinson, by developing distinctive services.  He did not give many details, although one example was to enable consumers to make use of gift cards on their devices.