Gemalto and payments processor SIA are to jointly support the deployment of NFC-based services throughout Italy. The partners say their trusted service manager (TSM) infrastructure will be the first in Europe that can be used by all of a country’s major players including leading mobile operators and banks.

The infrastructure is currently being piloted ahead of a full commercial launch in mid-2013. SIA says it has already secured the backing of what it terms “primary Italian telecom operators and banks” to offer their services through its central hub that will enable contactless payment transactions.

However the announcement does not specifically name which Italian mobile operators are signed up to the scheme.

Up to 200,000 contactless payments terminals will be deployed across Italy by the end of this year. The infrastructure can accommodate additional service providers, say the backers.

Nicola Cordone, SIA deputy general manager, says the central hub meets the needs of both mobile operators and banks. “SIA is allowing all stakeholder to avoid numerous individual arrangements when introducing new contactless services.”