Global payments technology company, Square, has launched a new contactless and chip card reader, making Australia the second market – behind the US – to access the payment technology.
The reader is designed for businesses of all types, from mobile sole traders to multi-location retailers, enabling them to quickly and securely accept tap-and-go cards, mobile wallets such as Apple Pay and Android Pay and chip cards.
The reader sends data with Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) technology. To make a payment, a customer either holds their near field communication (NFC)-enabled card or device up to the reader, or inserts their chip card, and the transaction is completed in seconds.
“We know NFC is important to Australian businesses, both for providing fast and secure tap-and-go card payments, and future proofing for the next wave of payment innovation like Apple Pay and Android Pay,” said Square’s Australian country manager, Ben Pfisterer.
“We’re delivering it in the most accessible, affordable and mobile way, available anywhere in Australia.”
Launched in March, another Square technology, The Square Reader, plugs directly into the headphone jack of a smartphone or tablet and allows operators to accept Visa, MasterCard or American Express credit or debit card payments quickly and securely. Sellers pay a flat fee of 1.9 percent per transaction no matter which card is used.
