Orange has announced that it is going to develop a new range of SIM cards and phones / devices to offer mobile contactless services. Orange say they are the first European operator to fully commit to mobile contactless services in this way.

Users will be able to make mobile contactless purchases such as paying for holidays, tickets and make purchases in shops by swiping their handset across an electronic reader. There would likely be applications that can be used in conjunction with mobile contactless services which would provide information such as opening hours and timetables.

Orange say the new SIM cards will be available across Europe sometime after the summer of 2011. Compatible handsets will begin to arrive in France towards the end of 2011 and then filter across Europe thereafter.

Stephane Richard, CEO of France Telecom-Orange said  "Our commitment to contactless services will benefit customers, giving them a seamless, convenient and secure way to validate transport or make payments. To make it a reality for our customers, Orange is working with other operators, banks, retailers, transport and service providers to create an eco-system which will stimulate the development of services adapted to everyone's needs."