What are the key determinants of competition in mobile payment services? How can pro-competitive regulations, competition advocacy and enforcement reduce barriers to entry, and promote competition and innovation? This paper focuses on retail mobile payment services used at physical points of sale, online purchases and peer-to-peer money transfers. It presents the competitive landscape of mobile payments, and explores competition opportunities that enhance contestability, drive innovation and improve access, cost and quality in mobile payments. The paper also highlights ongoing competition risks worth monitoring, such as those posed by data asymmetries, entrenched market power and the gatekeeping of critical infrastructures. Importantly, it underscores the value of co-operation between competition authorities and regulators to ensure that mobile payment services remain competitive and continue to evolve in ways that benefit consumers and merchants worldwide.
