The European Commission is delaying its announcement on the proposal by mobile operators to let mobile phones be used like credit cards.

The announcement, where the EC will decide to pass, reject or further scrutinise the plans, has already been delayed twice, and The Daily Telegraph has reported that sources believe it is likely to be subject to further scrutiny.

O2, Everything Everywhere and Vodafone had put forward the joint submission, saying the project would benefit the UK as a whole by providing a ‘credible alternative to the established online payments and advertising platforms’.