Video: The death of the debit card? The ability to send mobile payments using just a mobile phone number should be open to everyone, according to the Payments Council's latest mobile payments project update. The Payments Council is building a central database that will allow customers to link their mobile phone number to their account details, regardless of who they bank with. It will be available to UK banks and building societies before the end of this year as a platform for them to build their own competitive service for their customers.