Muscat: With the launch of Apple Pay service on Tuesday in the Sultanate of Oman and the rest of the GCC, users will be able to make online and offline payments via mobile devices.
According to Apple, banks offering the service in Oman include Bank Muscat, Sohar International, Sohar Islamic, BankDhofar, NBO, Dhofar Islamic and Al Muzn. Telecom providers Vodafone and Ooredoo also announced that their services can be paid through Apple Pay.
Verification of debit or credit cards was simple, although some banks differed in their methods.
Mohammed bin Saif al Manji of TechOneFive, an initiative group promoting awareness of new technologies, stated, "Digital payments in Oman have been growing, with the Central Bank of Oman (CBO) promoting cashless transactions through initiatives like mobile wallets and QR code payments. Apple Pay's launch in Oman will enhance this trend, alongside Samsung Pay, offering users a secure and seamless way to make contactless payments via their iPhones and Apple Watches. Many banks have integrated Apple Pay, allowing customers to link their bank cards for effortless digital transactions. This aligns with Oman Vision 2040, supporting the country's transition towards a cashless society." According to CBO's Financial Stability Report, there has been a broader adoption of e-payment methods and a shift away from cash usage. CBO's guidelines for Card Tokenization services have been instrumental in enabling domestic and international electronic payment applications (Apple Pay, Samsung Pay) to activate their services in the Sultanate of Oman.
Apple stated that whether shopping at a store, on a website, or in an app, Apple Pay is the faster and more secure way to check out. There's no account to create or card info to enter; it works seamlessly on an iPhone, iPad, or Apple Watch. Most major credit and debit cards are compatible with Apple Pay. The card number is neither shared with the merchant nor stored on Apple's servers or the personal device.
When checking out with Apple Pay on most websites and apps, there is no need to type in any billing, shipping, or contact info — it's all provided to the app or website by authenticating with Touch ID or Face ID. Shoppers simply need to choose Apple Pay as the payment option at checkout.
In April, banks in the Sultanate of Oman launched the Samsung Pay service, allowing customers to make digital payments.
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