TNS Launches BYOA Capability to Revolutionize Android Unattended Payment Terminals

Transaction Network Services (TNS) has launched a Bring Your Own App (BYOA) capability for its Android-based unattended payment terminals. This development allows operators to deploy custom customer-facing applications without the traditional burdens of PCI compliance, payment processing, or certification. For fintech professionals, it represents a significant shift toward decoupling user experience from the underlying secure payment infrastructure.

What was announced

The BYOA capability is designed for operators in the unattended, retail, and fuel sectors. It functions through a flexible integrated model where an operator’s custom Android application calls the TNS payment application via a defined API to initiate transactions. This setup allows TNS to handle the heavy lifting of card capture, PIN collection, encryption, EMV processing, and payment certification.

Crucially, the architecture is decoupled. This means acquirer keys are separated from terminal keys, which provides operators the operational flexibility to switch acquirers or adjust rates without the need to physically update or replace terminals. Every operator application must be signed and approved by TNS before it can run on the terminal, ensuring security standards are maintained.

The service is available across TNS’s entire suite of Android-based unattended payment terminal platforms, as well as its retail and fuel payment terminals. By removing the trade-off between innovation and compliance, TNS aims to let developers focus on the customer experience and unique selling propositions rather than the complexities of PCI requirements and P2PE certifications. This managed service approach targets the growing demand for highly customized payment experiences in self-service environments.

"Operators have historically had to choose between innovating on customer experience or taking on the complexity of payments. BYOA is designed to remove that compromise. Our customers can build the applications that enhance their business’ unique selling proposition (USP), while we manage the payments, compliance and certification that sit behind every transaction. That's the role TNS plays – providing a managed service that allows our customers to focus on their business."

David Hore, Senior Director, Payments Product Portfolio, TNS Payments Market.

The companies involved

Transaction Network Services (TNS) is a global provider of infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS) solutions, particularly known for its presence in the payments and financial markets sectors. The company operates a significant payment orchestration platform and has recently expanded its footprint through strategic acquisitions and internal restructuring.

A major milestone in the company’s recent history was the completion of its acquisition of BT Radianz in early 2026. Following this acquisition, TNS underwent a significant organizational change by combining its Financial Markets business with Radianz to form a new entity called Waypoint Trading Solutions. This move was designed to streamline its offerings in exchange connectivity and managed hosting services.

In the payments space, TNS maintains a strong focus on omnichannel solutions, supporting a wide array of unattended, retail, and fuel payment terminals. The company positions itself as a critical layer of the global payments ecosystem, managing the secure transmission of transaction data and providing the underlying hardware and software infrastructure that allows merchants and operators to accept payments globally while adhering to security and regulatory standards.

What FF News has reported before

FF News has closely followed the evolution of TNS’s infrastructure and its expansion into new markets. In August 2026, the publication covered how TNS Enhances Omnichannel Payments Platform with Next-Gen Android Unattended Terminals, which laid the groundwork for the current BYOA launch. Prior to this, the company’s corporate restructuring was a major focus, specifically when TNS’ Financial Markets Business and Radianz Combine to Form Waypoint Trading Solutions. This followed the news that TNS Completes Acquisition of BT Radianz in February 2026. Additionally, FF News reported on the growth of the new entity as Waypoint Trading Solutions to Expand European Exchange Connectivity with Equinix MD6 Deployment in Madrid.

What this means

The launch of BYOA signals a move toward the "app-ification" of the hardware-heavy unattended payment sector. By decoupling the user interface from the secure payment kernel, TNS is putting pressure on traditional terminal manufacturers who still rely on proprietary, closed-loop systems. This shift mirrors the broader trend in fintech where modularity and API-first architectures are replacing monolithic stacks. For the industry, this raises questions about the future of terminal brand loyalty; if the hardware becomes a generic vessel for custom software, the value proposition shifts entirely to the orchestration layer and the ease of developer integration.