NUKU'ALOFA, Tonga, May 14, 2012 /CNW/ - Digicel Pacific Limited, a mobile network operator across the Pacific and a division of the Digicel Group, has deployed VeriFone mWallet services and NFC-enabled payment systems to offer its entire customer base access to the latest NFC technology to facilitate Mobile Money transactions. Launching in the Kingdom of Tonga this week Digicel says the new service is truly inclusive because customers do not need a bank account, credit card or a smart phone.

The innovative NFC-enabled merchant payment solution uses NFC tags from Digicel linked to mobile numbers and VeriFone's contactless payment acceptance systems. Digicel Tonga subscribers are now able to pay for goods and services with a tap of their phone at 50 merchants in the capital of Nuku'alofa and both companies say that they plan to extend the new service to the entire Pacific Island nation.

Many Tongans are unbanked and credit card penetration is extremely low.