Abstract: A data communication authentication system (10) and method are described. One or more locator nodes (20) are installable at a location (30), the or each locator node (20) including an identifier (21) and a communication system (22) and being arranged to provide said identifier via said communication system (22). The communication authentication system (10) is arranged to generate an authentication code for the location (30) in dependence on identifiers (21) from the one or more locator nodes at the location and is arranged to provide said authentication code on demand for inclusion in a data communication originating locally to said location (30).

Abstract: A transaction authorization system comprises a user interface unit 30 capable of accepting a transaction authorization and a utility meter 10 provided at a location having an associated location identifier unique to the location, wherein the utility meter 10 is arranged to communicate with the user interface unit 10, to obtain a transaction authorization, and to transmit an authorization request based on the transaction authorization and location identifier to obtain authorization of the transaction.

Abstract: An electronic payment unit including includes a data communications interface, a payment card reader and a memory. During a registration process between the electronic payment unit and a registering system at a location having a unique identifier associated with the location, the electronic payment unit is operative to store the unique identifier, or data derived from or including the unique identifier in the memory. The payment card reader is arranged to read a payment card during an electronic transaction, and to form for transmission, via the data communications interface, an electronic payment request including data on the payment card and on the content of the memory. An associated system and method are also disclosed.

Abstract: A transaction authorisation system comprises a user interface unit 30 capable of accepting a transaction authorisation and a utility meter 10 provided at a location having an associated location identifier unique to the location, wherein the utility meter 10 is arranged to communicate with the user interface unit 10, to obtain a transaction authorisation, and to transmit an authorisation request based on the transaction authorisation and location identifier to obtain authorisation of the transaction.