500TH DUTCH CONSUMER JOINS "PAYTO" PAYMENT
PILOT.
|
The Dutch company Payter connected the 500th consumer to what is
one of the largest pilots with mobile payments in Europe. On August 27th
in the city centre of Rotterdam, Payter started this groundbreaking, six
month period pilot. In the coming weeks, another 500 consumers will join
the pilot, totaling to 1000 participants. More than 50 stores, ranging
from supermarkets and fashion retailers to restaurants, are joining in
on the pilot. Shortly also movie and parking tickets in Rotterdam can be
downloaded into the mobile phones using Payter. In 2008, Payter will
roll out mobile payment nationwide. Plans to expand into Europe are
prepared as well.
Electronic Wallet
With Payter, the mobile phone has become an electronic wallet. From
daily groceries to coffee at your local restaurant, chocolates or
perfumes, it can all quickly be paid for with the mobile phone. The
Payter wallet can be used with all bank cards, credit cards and other
payment systems. During the pilot different applications, such as gift
cards, loyalty cards, smart postering, parking and movie tickets are
also being introduced to fill consumers' wallets and offer them
even more user convenience.
NFC technology
Payter is making use of the short-range, wireless Near Field
Communication (NFC) technology in combination with a secure element to
conduct safe and fast transactions. The Nokia NFC-enabled phones used in
the pilot are equipped with a NFC chip from NXP Semiconductors,
communicating with a reader located in the stores. On the phone users
can review transaction history, check their current balance or top-up
the Payter prepaid account through GPRS. This can also be done through
the personal Payter internet page where people can take advantage of
special offers from participating retailers.
Revolution
"It is vital to test on a large scale, as we are doing. This
way, consumers and retailers can really experience the ease and
advantages of paying with mobiles," said Elaine Carpenter, General
Manager Payter. Elaine Carpenter adds: "This is a revolutionary
change in our use of the mobile phone. We are making the electronic
wallet easy, safe and fun for the user and retailer. Our focus is on
filling the wallet with different applications and establishing an
infrastructure of acceptation points where people can use it. Consumers
as well as retailers are excited. Consumers say the greatest advantage
is the fact that they can charge their account anywhere they fancy.
Retailers experience new ways of targeting their audience."
About Payter
For more information, visit http://www.payter.com.
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