SoftBank, in collaboration with blockchain firm TBCASoft and Synchronoss Technologies, has completed a proof-of-concept (PoC). The mobile payments service will facilitate person-to-person (P2P) mobile payments across various carriers.
The move comes a year after the Japanese telecom operator and TBCASoft launched the Carrier Blockchain Study Group (CBSG) Consortium.
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The new proposition, powered by TBCASoft’s blockchain platform, will facilitate in-store, mobile and digital purchases directly from users’ devices.
The cross-carrier mobile service will be based on the Rich Communications Service (RCS) global standard, which intends to replace SMS messages.
Softbank vice president Takeshi Fukuizumi said: “This RCS and blockchain based mobile payments PoC demonstrates the value operator-led services can deliver.
“Not only do we foresee our new mobile payment service empowering merchants to operate digitally, and at a scale that was previously only available to big brands, but it will also give our customers more flexibility when it comes to their purchasing and travelling habits.”
Earlier this year, Synchronoss introduced a multi-channel communications platform in Japan that includes SMS, email as well as RCS.
The RCS communications protocol can also be used to make fund transfers.
“The flexibility of the CCPS blockchain API enables the recipient to use an RCS-based messaging app or legacy messaging service like SMS or mobile email, to receive person-to-person (P2P) money transfers through the RCS wallet app either in the same country or overseas,” the companies said.
