KT launches iCarte NFC iPhone case in Korea

KT launches iCarte NFC iPhone case in Korea, backs it up with the Olleh Touch NFC mobile wallet

The iPhone 5 may or may not get NFC this fall, but that won’t stop Koreans making NFC payments with an iPhone because KT has launched an iPhone 4 NFC iCarte 420k case. Not only has KT launched a near field communication enabled case for the iPhone 4, but it has done so with the approval of Apple under the “Made for iPhone” accreditation. The iPhone 4 case was developed by Canadian firm Wireless Dynamics Inc., and enables the use of transport cards and credit cards using near field communication while protecting the iPhone in its secondary function as a case.

Hyunmi Yang, Executive Vice President of Integrated Customer Strategy BU at KT said, “As NFC-enabled smart phone was launched recently, iPhone users are showing increasing needs for NFC services. So we became the 1st mobile carrier in the world to deliver NFC services to iPhone users by launching the NFC case.” She added, “As a global leader of NFC services, KT plans to provide more convenient and differentiated NFC services to its customers.”

KT NFC iPhone 4 case is joined by the Olleh Touch NFC mobile wallet

KT went further than just a case. They also launched an NFC mobile wallet called Olleh Touch NFC. For the time being, the Olleh Touch NFC mobile wallet comes with support for prepaid transportation cards like Korea’s Cashbee and Shinhan credit card app. KT has announced that other near field communication services are in the works for the nascent Olleh Touch NFC mobile wallet. Those services will include Woori BC Card, KB Kookmin Card, and more mobile payments via a mobile wallet app. KT is aiming for an October launch for the extra services that will also come with something called a Mobile Stamp.

The KT iPhone case will also support the writing of tags and the normal functions we have come to expect with a near filed communications enabled phone and features an NXP chip set. The iPhone case is likely to cost Korean consumers around $59 and can be purchased from KT retail stores or locations that specialize in Apple products.  Hit the source link to see other offers that are available to consumers who purchase the KT  iCarte iPhone 4 NFC case.