BlackBerry, EnStream announce mobile payment deal

BlackBerry has struck a three-year mobile payment agreement with EnStream, a joint venture between Canada's three biggest telecom companies — Bell (TSX:BCE), Rogers Communications (TSX:RCI.B) and Telus (TSX:T).

Under the partnership, BlackBerry will provide security technology that supports transactions made by customers through their mobile devices.

• How the smartphone is changing how you pay for stuff

Financial details of the transaction with BlackBerry (TSX:BB) were not disclosed.

Mobile payment technology has been a growing focus for telecommunications companies as they look for new ways for shoppers to pay with their smartphones at the cash register.

At least two of the country's biggest banks launching their own mobile payment smartphone apps.

Earlier this year, Rogers released an app called the Suretap virtual wallet, which lets customers pay with their phones at a selection of retailers using either giftcards or a prepaid Mastercard.