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The current system is fragmented, with options that vary by bank, payment card, device and wireless carrier. Most mobile payments are accepted at merchants that have contactless terminals for purchases of up to $100.

On top of a smartphone with near-field communication (NFC) functionality, most Canadian mobile payment solutions require an NFC-enabled SIM card from the wireless carrier. Rogers spokesman Aaron Lazarus said that most devices capable of supporting mobile payments now leave the company's distribution channels with NFC-enabled SIM cards already installed.

Across all carriers, he added, there are more than 6 million payment-ready devices – not including Apple products – in the hands of Canadians today, according to information from EnStream LP.

BANK MOBILE PAYMENT OFFERING PAYMENT CARD DEVICES CARRIER
BMO Mobile PayPass (a tag you stick to the back of your phone that functions like your card's tap chip anywhere there is a PayPass terminal); Apple Pay to come Mastercard only Any mobile device (devices with metallic backings or protective covers may cause interference) N/A (you can stick it on any phone)
CIBC Apple Pay, CIBC Mobile Payment App + Suretap (a gift and credit card app started by Rogers and spun off into a separate entity last year; CIBC is the only major bank to adopt it so far) Visa and Mastercard Android and BlackBerry NFC-enabled devices; iPhone to come Bell Mobility, Rogers, Telus, Virgin Mobile, Koodo
Desjardins Desjardins Mobile Payment app Visa only Android and BlackBerry NFC-enabled devices (but not a big list) Bell Mobility, Rogers, Telus, Virgin Mobile, Koodo
PC Financial UGO (a loyalty, gift and credit card app backed by PC and TD) Mastercard only Android and BlackBerry NFC-enabled devices Rogers, Telus, Koodo
RBC Apple Pay and RBC Wallet Visa or RBC debit card Android and iPhone NFC-enabled devices Works with all carrier
Scotiabank Scotiabank My Mobile Wallet; Apple Pay to come Visa or Scotia debit card Android and BlackBerry NFC-enabled devices; iPhone to come Bell Mobility, Rogers, Telus, Virgin Mobile, Koodo
TD TD Mobile Payment + UGO; Apple Pay to come Visa only Android and BlackBerry NFC-enabled devices; iPhone to come Bell Mobility, Rogers, Telus, Virgin Mobile, Koodo, MTS, SaskTel
National Bank None N/A N/A N/A