Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express have announced their support for, and participation in, Isis, the mCommerce joint venture between AT&T Mobility, T-Mobile USA and Verizon Wireless that is due to launch in Salt Lake City, Utah and Austin, Texas initially, in the first half of 2012.

Isis will use NFC-enabled mobile phones to enable customers to pay for goods and services, to pay, redeem coupons and store loyalty cards, with the tap of a phone.

Isis says that, since its formation, it has had a strong vested interest in generating industry involvement and support for an mCommerce platform that is open and inclusive by design, adding that, by working with all four payment networks, it will set the standard for what it means to be open, secure and reliable in the mCommerce industry.

“Since the formation of Isis in November, we have been committed to building a mobile commerce platform that aligns and advances the interests of consumers, merchants and banks,” says Isis CEO, Michael Abbott. “By working with the nation’s payment networks – Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express – we significantly advance the vision of an open and secure platform that provides banks and merchants with a new and highly relevant way to connect with consumers.”