Hillsborough, N.J.-based Briza's technology uses a proprietary encoded SMS message and it is compatible with all major air interfaces, including TDMA, CDMA, and GSM.

The entire system consists of the technology and the SMS Credit Card Terminal -- a single portable machine including a credit-card reader (compatible with ANSI 7811 and all other credit card standards), printer, display, and built-in mobile phone transceiver.

The SMS terminal can be physically separated from the mobile phone transceiver and it may be connected to an existing mobile phone via Bluetooth, IrDA, or other similar IEEE interface communication protocols for short-range communication. PDAs and other portable computers may also be used, as they become available or needed.

Briza said it plans to complete its first business implementation in one major city in Brazil within the next six to nine months. After that, the company will follow with full service implementation in another twenty major Brazilian cities, reaching over 100,000 merchant users with an estimated set up cost of $900.00 per merchant account.

The new technology should be available for deployment in other countries in the second quarter of next year, company officials said.

Bob Woods is the managing editor of InstantMessagingPlanet.