Google teams up with 3 wireless carriers to combat Apple Pay

Google is teaming up with three major US wireless carriers in an effort to prod more people into using its mobile wallet and undercut the rapid success of Apple’s rival payment service.

The deal announced calls for Google’s tap-and-pay service to be built into Android smartphones sold by AT&T Inc, Verizon Wireless and T-Mobile USA beginning later his year.

Smartphone owners currently have to download Google Wallet and install the app on their phone if they want to use the service.

Besides trying to make it more convenient to use Wallet, Google also is hoping to improve the nearly four-year-old service.

Toward that end, Google Inc is buying some mobile payment technology and patents from Softcard, a venture owned by the wireless carriers. Financial terms weren’t disclosed.