The project will include use of readers hooked to user PCs as well as dual-slot mobile phones, into which the card can be inserted. The European Commission will fund about E700,000 of the project cost.

According to William Vanobberghen, senior adviser for international affairs at Cartes Bancaires, customers will be able to make travel purchases on their PCs using standardized Finread card readers, and on mobile handsets where they could also check travel itineraries. After making the reservations and ticket purchases online, they could then use their bank cards to identify themselves at airline ticket counters, car rental agencies and hotels.

Testing will begin in 2003