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Australian mobile Operator Telstra Corp., National Australian Bank and Visa Inc. say they have launched their anticipated Near Field Communication test this week, though apparently with fewer merchants than originally expected. The test involves 200 consumers and 12 merchants in Melbourne. Earlier indications suggested the test would involve 30 merchants (CardLine Global, 6 June). Immediate comment from the firms was unavailable. Consumers taking part in the test must download a Visa-National Australian Bank credit card application onto the SIM cards on their Telstra phones, the companies say in a statement. Consumers then can make contactless purchases of up to AU$35 (US$30.10 or 20.50 euros) by waving or tapping their phones at readers.
