Emerging alternate payments options such as mobile contactless payments need to be better, faster and cheaper than card-based methods for retailers while also giving consumers greater control in the process.

In 2011 there will be more than 50 million Near Field Communication-enabled mobile devices available commercially worldwide, according to Inside Contactless.

AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon have formed a joint venture called Isis, a national mobile commerce network that will let consumers use their mobile phones to make point-of-sale purchases.

Google CEO Eric Schmidt’s incendiary statement that near field communication-enabled Android smartphones would be positioned to replace credit cards has sent shockwaves through the mobile commerce ecosystem.

Brookshire Grocery Co., one of the largest regional grocery chains in Texas, Louisiana and Arkansas, is offering contactless mobile payments and rewards to its customers.

DALLAS – Urban Outfitters’ top executive said his company has big plans for using mobile to streamline the in-store purchasing experience during his Shop.org keynote address.

While the contactless mobile payments ecosystem is evolving quickly, it is still three-to-four years away from achieving mass-market adoption.

Visa is letting commuters in New York and New Jersey use their handsets to pay for bus, subway, train and taxi fares.

While mobile payments are convenient, consumers could be at risk when mistakes are made by merchants and processors or as a result of fraud.

First Federal Savings Bank now offers mobile payments to its customers and local businesses to reduce costs, improve security and enable rewards programs.