BT Group today announces that its digital and startup incubation arm, Etc. has forged a partnership with Adyen, the global financial technology platform of choice for leading businesses, to enable small business customers to accept in-person contactless payments with Tap to Pay on iPhone. Tap to Pay on iPhone allows merchants to accept physical debit and credit cards, Apple Pay and other digital wallets, removing the need for card readers or extra hardware. It’s easy and secure.

The intuitively-designed BT Tap to Pay app has been created with input and feedback from small businesses, mobile workers and sole traders across the UK to deliver a reliable payments solution with the specific needs of SMEs at the heart. In addition to enabling in-person contactless payments, Tap to Pay on iPhone and the BT Tap to Pay app includes built-in security and privacy features, the ability to view payment history at a glance, and a simplified refund process. The partnership combines EE’s connectivity with Adyen’s global expertise in mobile payments to make contactless payments easier for customers. Businesses using the service will benefit from BT Group’s transaction rate of 1.4% on customer payments taken.

Apple’s Tap to Pay on iPhone technology uses the built-in features of iPhone to keep business and customer data private and secure. When a payment is processed, Apple doesn’t store card numbers or transaction information on the device or on Apple servers.

The BT Tap to Pay app is available to download from the Apple App Store today, and UK small businesses and sole traders* can simply and easily login with an EE or BT account to get started within minutes.

Nicole Olbe, UK Managing Director at Adyen, said, “We’re excited to be working with BT to bring a brilliant, trusted service to BT’s one million small business customers. 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.”

Tom Guy, 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.”