VIVOtech, NETS, SingTel and UOB Launch NFC Pilot in Singapore

The solution is the first in which users simply open a coupon on their NFC-enabled phones and flash it to a NETS FlashPay reader for automatic redemption. The trial also introduced the first Stored Value Purse in Asia on NFC mobile phones and Over-the-Air (OTA) servers to enable downloading and top-up of stored value accounts on the NFC phones, as announced in September 2007.

“We are gratified to have been selected for this innovative pilot by NETS & SingTel,” said Michael Mullagh, ViVOtech CEO. “Consumers are excited to use their mobile phones to make payments and participate in promotion programs. At ViVOtech, we are building solutions that support the entire NFC ecosystem so users can make everyday payments, ride transportation, secure ticketing and get savings coupons easily through their mobile phones.

“NETS’ long partnership with ViVOtech on contactless readers and mobile phone payments continues to pay off as we deliver our customers cutting-edge applications for payments and promotions. ViVOtech’s software products for NFC-based mobile phone couponing and payments, completed with Over-the-Air capabilities, further extend the value of the NETS products we already deliver in this region.”

In the pilot program, SingTel users can download a SingTel wallet application that will allow them to store and top up value on the mNETS payment application in their phones at any time. Users are then able to make payments using NETS FlashPay by merely flashing their SingTel mobile phones at more than 500 participating merchants islandwide, each one equipped with ViVOpay 5000 NETS FlashPay contactless terminals. Topping up of the mNETS card is performed over the air anytime and anywhere from the phone after registration of a SingTel-UOB credit card.

The SingTel wallet is also equipped with an electronic coupon application that provides SingTel customers with discounts and other incentives and freebies. A simple flash of NFC-powered mobile phone on mNETS posters or at other smart billboards will initiate an OTA download of the mNETS Coupon that is affiliated with the promotion. Again, users simply flash the Coupon on NETS FlashPay readers for the coupon to be automatically redeemed.

The mobile payment initiative is part of NETS’ and SingTel’s vision of bringing mobile payments to Singaporeans. NETS is studying this initiative under its broader mNETS strategy to make mobile payments pervasive across the Singapore economy.

To date, ViVOtech has enabled more than 25 NFC phone trials globally. ViVOtech’s NFC mobile payments, promotions, Over-The-Air (OTA) provisioning infrastructure software, transaction management software, NFC smart posters and contactless terminals are part of the company’s portfolio of solutions that complement and complete mobile ecommerce networks and its ecosystem. For more information on ViVOtech’s solutions, please visit http://www.vivotech.com.