Online payments via mobile devices have become increasingly popular in Romania. One in ten online payments came via a mobile device towards the end of 2013, according to payment processor NETOPIA mobilPay.

The trend is poised to continue in 2014, when the company expects to see two times more online payments via mobile devices, either smartphones or tablets, compared to 2013.

In total, 1 million mobile payment transactions is expected for the year 2014, as more and more online retailers will invest in developing mobile versions of their websites.

In 2013, there were 7 million online card transactions in Romania, our of which 400,0000 via mobile devices, leading to a rate of 6 percent, according to Netopia. Out of these, 60 percent were made via a smartphone, and the rest via tablets.

“The number of online transactions via smartphones or tablets are on a growing trend, which is a sign users not only are used to online payments, but would rather do it via mobile. For this year, we believe the average rate of online payments via mobile devices will double, to over 12 percent of the entire market,” said Antonio Eram, CEO and founder of NETOPIA mobilPay.

Out of the 8.5 million estimated online payments for 2014 in Romania, about 1 million are expects to come via mobile devices.

editor@romania-insider.com