O2 is trialling a wristband loaded with a computer chip at this year's Wireless Festival that could act as a credit card, electronic ticket, and Oyster card.

Crystal-studded wristbands will be given out to VIPs at the event in London's Hyde Park.

Holding the bracelet close to electronic sensors will allow them into a backstage hospitality areas.

The firm said it is working closely with the likes of Nokia to build the chips, which use Near Field Communication (NFC) technology, into mobile handsets.

NFC, which utilises short range wireless technology, is already used by the Transport for London Oyster card system.

The telecoms firm hopes that if the trial proves successful festival-goers at future events could use their handsets to pay for purchases, download content, and share information.

An O2 spokesperson said: "The potential benefits of NFC technology to music festivals are enormous.

"Not only in regard to mobile ticketing but also in terms of saving money through administration, and potentially even the end of cash at festivals."

But O2 failed to point out what contingency plan the firm would have in place if a handset is lost or stolen, or indeed if an entire network collapsed at such an event.

Any such disaster could leave festival-goers wishing they had packed their tatty old wallet along with their designer wellies after all. ®

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