Netcom and Siemens trial cashless vending machines in Norway

Netcom and Siemens are trialling a scheme in Norway to enable consumers to order coke from a vending machine and pay for it using their mobile phones.

The two vendors believe the move is a major step towards a cashless society where mobile phones become the equivalent of customers' wallets.

As a result, they have already installed two vending machines in Gardermoen airport and an Olso shopping center that do not have slots for coins. Instead the machines display a telephone number, which customers dial from their mobile phones.

The call goes through to staff at the Netcom payment centre, who check their credit details. If the credit rating is OK, the centre calls the vending machine and the chosen can of drink is released.

While the process might sound cumbersome, Siemens and Netcom claim it takes only 30 seconds. The cost of the drink is added to a fixed rate call charge and charged to the consumer's mobile phone bill.

Siemens and Netcom believe the scheme could be extended to other areas of life where consumers often find they do not have the necessary loose change on them such as car parks or paying for bus tickets.