Smart card transactions allow consumers to load value onto and make purchases using smart cards with a mobile telephone handset over the telecommunications network. To load the smart card, the handset receives a request to load value. The handset generates a funds request message and sends the message to a funds issuer computer that debits a user account. Next, the handset authenticates the smart card and receives a response message including approval to load. The handset validates the response and loads the value onto the smart card. For payment, the handset sends an order request message to the merchant server computer, and in return receives a purchase instruction message. The handset processes the message locally, and sends a draw request message to a payment server computer. The payment server computer sends an approval to debit the smart card. The handset validates the approval and debits the smart card.