Mastercard to let Apple customers turn iPhones into payment system

Chunghwa Telecom (CHT) said yesterday it will team up with Easycard Corp. and MasterCard Paypass to introduce a mobile payment service — a method of payment that is common in Japan.

However, initially, the service will be available only to iPhone4/4S users. The phone will be encased in an “Easy, Near Field Communication (NFC) and Paypass” cover, which can be used to pay metro fares and buy goods, CHT said.

The telecom giant said it hopes handset manufactures will allow the insertion of a mobile payment chip in the future to provide customers with a more convenient service.

CHT is scheduled to announce the launch date of the service Thursday at a press conference.