Five months after its launch in China on Feb. 18, Apple Pay debuted simultaneously in France and Hong Kong on Tuesday, July 19.
Apple Pay in France is compatible with Mastercard and Visa credit and debit cards issued by Carrefour Banque, Ticket Restaurant, Banque Populaire and Caisse d’Eparge. The Caisse is a group made up of the second-biggest banking group in France which holds over 20 percent of payment cards in circulation.
Two other French issuers, Boon and Orange, would also provide credit card support to Apple Pay soon, reported cǀnet.
9to5Mac reported that the launch in France was delayed while Apple was negotiating with French bank over fees that the Cupertino-based company would charge for each transaction. Reports said that the French banks wanted to get the same rate as Chinese banks which reportedly got Apple to agree to halve its share.
French users could use their iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 6S, iPhone 6S Plus, Apple Watch, iPad mini 4, iPad Air 2 and iPad Pros to transact using Apple Pay.
For Hong Kong, Apple Pay works with American Express, Visa and Mastercard credit cards from seven banks. Initially, it would be HSBC, Bank of China (Hong Kong), Hang Seng, DBS and Standard Chartered. HKT and the Bank of East Asia would follow soon.
Hong Kong and France are the second and third regions for Apple Pay in July after it launched earlier in Switzerland.
More French retailers have agreed to take payments using Apple Pay, while in Hong Kong, over 25 merchants are now accepting Apple Pay, including 7-11, Wellcome and Pizza Hut. Soon, Hong Kong residents could also use Apple Pay in Cathay Pacific Mobile, Deliveroo and Foodpanda.