Apple Pay May Launch In UK This Summer. Official Announcement Could Happen At WWDC
Apple is planning to bring Apple Pay to United Kingdom and may officially announce this at Worldwide Developers Conference, next week.
According to The Telegraph’s report, the service will go live in the U.K. within two months. It is not exactly clear which companies have signed up, but Mike Cowan, a Senior VP at MasterCard, told Telegraph that his company is “absolutely” ready to support Apple Pay abroad.
UK already has the infrastructure needed for Apple Pay due to investment in contactless debit and credit payment technology. The iPhone contains a wireless microchip similar to those in contactless payment cards, allowing Apple Pay users to store their details and to wave the handset over a terminal to pay. In addition, transport for London is already taking Apple Pay payments for travel in the capital from American tourists.
There are rumors of Apple Pay coming to Canada this fall, and Apple is in talks to bring the service to China in the near future. Apple could also debut an Apple Pay rewards program at next week’s conference. Apple is also planning to expand iTunes Radio to the UK next week.