SK Planet and KDDI have signed an MoU to build on their existing relationship in offering cross-border NFC services between South Korea and Japan.

The MoU covers services such as membership, coupon and payments available on SK Planet’s NFC-based platform which made its South Korean debut in December last year.

The aim is to optimise SK Planet’s NFC Open Platform for the Japanese market and carry out pre-commercialisation tests before a planned launch early next year.

The two companies, in collaboration with SoftBank, recently set up a pilot NFC zone in Shin-Okubo, a district in Tokyo known for its shops specialising in Korean products and services.

SK Planet says service providers have taken “a considerable interest” in the initiative – the first NFC-based couponing service launched in Japan – which is available in over 100 shops.

SK Telecom, KDDI and Softbank signed an MoU three years ago on developing interoperable, mobile payment services between the two countries.