BT Group has announced a significant collaboration today. Its digital and startup incubation arm, Etc., has partnered with Adyen, the global financial technology platform, to introduce an innovative solution for small businesses. The partnership aims to enable small business customers to accept in-person contactless payments with Tap to Pay on iPhone.

Payment History Tracking and Refund Process

Tap to Pay on iPhone transforms the payment process for small businesses, eliminating the need for card readers or additional hardware. With this technology, merchants can accept physical debit and credit cards, Apple Pay, and other digital wallets.

The BT Tap to Pay app, intuitively designed with input from small businesses, mobile workers, and sole traders across the UK, prioritizes the specific needs of SMEs. Alongside facilitating in-person contactless payments , the app boasts built-in security and privacy features, streamlined payment history tracking, and a simplified refund process, ensuring a seamless user experience.

Tom Guy, the Managing Director, Etc. at BT Group, said: “Our partnership with Adyen has allowed us to streamline payment processes for small businesses across the UK, while providing a quicker and easier way to pay for their customers, all powered by the UK’s best mobile network, EE and removing the need for additional touchpoints. Tap to Pay on iPhone and the BT Tap to Pay app put the power directly into the hands – and phones – of business owners, providing a fast and seamless way to take payments without reliance on extra hardware. All that’s needed is an iPhone and the BT Tap to Pay app.”

Partnership Enhances Contactless Payment Availability

This partnership capitalizes on EE's robust connectivity and Adyen's global expertise in mobile payments, promising to make contactless payments more accessible for customers. Additionally, businesses utilizing the service will benefit from BT Group's competitive transaction rate of 1.4% on customer payments processed.

Apple's Tap to Pay on iPhone technology adds an extra layer of security by leveraging the built-in features of the iPhone to safeguard business and customer data. Notably, Apple does not store card numbers or transaction information on the device or its servers, ensuring the utmost privacy for users.

Nicole Olbe, the UK Managing Director at Adyen, said: “Tap to Pay on iPhone and the BT Tap to Pay app provide a secure and fast checkout experience that increases mobility on location and allows for a convenient and secure way to pay for customers. This innovation has simplified in-person payments and removed the dependence small businesses have faced with payment hardware.”