Gemalto to launch Near Field Communication (NFC) technology in Singapore

A consortium headed by Gemalto has recently announced its preparation to launch mobile payments using Near Field Communication (NFC) technology. With that, consumers are spoilt for choice with multiple contactless payments products on their NFC phones.

Japan has been promoting the usage of NFC years ago and it seems like Singapore is beginning to adapt the idea. Singapore has a number of reliable mobile operators namely M1, SingTel, StarHub and partnership with Citibank, DBS, EZ-Link sees an overwhelming outcome by launching nation-wide NFC services managed by Gemalto. With various options for payments services, consumers will be informed on the perks of application and usage of NFC services.

Mr Ronnie Tay, CEO of IDA said, “As part of IDA’s iN2015 Masterplan, the Next Generation e-Payments Programme promotes technology adoption that realizes the vision of Singapore as a leading e-payments nation. The open access model for NFC infrastructure allows businesses to deploy innovative payment and other secured services, providing convenience to both consumers and merchants, and enabling commerce for all.”

Different services have been created to suit the different needs of consumers when it comes to multiple payment services from different banks and payment product issuers. Security is of top notch quality as NFC infrastructure, SIM cards and handsets go through certifications by international payment schemes. Just tap and go, consumers can now make payments at over 30,000 retails points. Convenience is the key.

Making payment without cash is without a doubt more convenient and safer for consumers as there has been a rise in crime rates across the nation. Nevertheless, consumers need to be convinced that this is the next big thing other than their trusty credit cards. Contactless e-money proves to be a success in Japan spearheaded by NTT Data Corporation.

About Gemalto

Gemalto (Euronext NL0000400653 GTO) is a the global leader in digital security with €2 billion annual revenue in 2011 and more than 10,000 employees operating in 74 countries as well as 14 Research and Development centers in 43 countries. Gemalto provides personal mobile services, payment security, identity protection, authenticated online services, cloud computing access, eHealthcare and eGovernment services, modern transportation solutions and machine-to-machine (M2M) communication. Self-design and personalizing secure software, Gemalto is innovative with their inventions to suit clients’ expanding needs as well as to enhance the convenience and security of their digital lives.

About Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore

The Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) is dedicated in making Singapore into a dynamic global infocomm hub. IDA promotes a competitive telecom markets and conducive business environments as well as schemes for local and international companies.

Read the full press release below.

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Singapore, 3 August 2012

Near Field Communication Services Go Live in Singapore

The consortium led by Gemalto today announced its readiness to launch mobile payment services using the Near Field Communication (NFC) technology. Supported by the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA), the implementation of the interoperable NFC infrastructure, hosted inGemalto’s Trusted Services Management data centre in Singapore, marks a significant milestone in the Call-for-Collaboration awarded in Oct 2011. Consumers will be empowered with the choice of multiple contactless payment products on their NFC phones, and businesses can deploy new innovative and secured mobile services in a timely and cost efficient manner.

Comprising consortium partners Citibank, DBS, EZ-Link, and all three mobile operators in Singapore – M1, SingTel, StarHub – the multi-bank and multi-telco partnership will launch nation-wide NFC services through a secure, unified and comprehensive third party infrastructure managed by Gemalto. The consortium will be rolling out three credit, pre-paid and stored-value payment services through NFC-enabled mobile phones in the coming weeks, with respective partners announcing the launch details of their specific services including how consumers can apply for and make use of these NFC services.

“As part of IDA’s iN2015 Masterplan, the Next Generation e-Payments Programme promotes technology adoption that realizes the vision of Singapore as a leading e-payments nation,”comments Mr Ronnie Tay, CEO of IDA. “The open access model for NFC infrastructure allows businesses to deploy innovative payment and other secured services, providing convenience to both consumers and merchants, and enabling commerce for all.”

Designed for consumer convenience and confidence, the interoperable NFC infrastructure allows consumers to aggregate multiple payment services from different banks and payment product issuers into a single mobile wallet, giving them easy control of which payment product to use for a specific purchase. As consumers may have multiple banking relationships and want different products to be loaded on their NFC phones, customer care support processes starting from payment product application, activation to product termination have been harmonised across participating banks/ telcos to provide a consistent user experience.

Consumers are also assured of security for these new contactless payment services as the NFC infrastructure, SIM cards and handsets have gone through certifications by international payment schemes such as MasterCard and Visa, as well as by industry standards bodies such as GlobalPlatform and EMVCo where applicable. At service launch, consumers can use their NFC-enabled mobile phones to tap and pay at over 30,000 retail points such as convenience stores, fast food outlets, retailers and taxis already equipped with contactless POS terminals. In the near future, consumers can also aggregate an array of retail or F&B merchant loyalty cards and discount coupons, all on a single mobile phone platform.

This cross-industry, open access infrastructure facilitates the entry of new businesses to offer secured NFC services to all mobile subscribers in Singapore, in a timely manner and without the need for dedicated infrastructure or deep technical know-how. Examples of such secured services include tickets or access keys to be provisioned dynamically and securely over-the-air. Merchants can also enhance customer engagement through NFC-enabled advertisements, providing product information, promotional discounts, enabling referrals by customers’ friends on social media etc. IDA will continue to collaborate with the industry to develop such services that maximize the potential of NFC.

“This pioneer launch of an all-inclusive platform allows mobile operators, financial institutions and all the other service providers in Singapore to easily plug into and get on board to offer secure NFC services. The NFC capable SIM cards are already being deployed, the NFC infrastructure is ready and with our MasterCard and VISA certified TSM data center we are able to support customers as they ramp up their large-scale deployment of mobile NFC services,” said Tan Teck Lee, Chief Innovation & Technology Officer and Asia President at Gemalto. “We are happy to see this landmark programme go live as planned, appreciate the benefits it contributes to the country’s economy, and want to thank our customers for their trust and for their confidence in the future.”

A number of NFC handset models from Samsung and Sony have been certified for use with the suite of services to be launched. More NFC handsets will be offered by the mobile operators in the coming months.

Though the deployment is focused on retail payment at the start, IDA and the consortium members are working with the Land Transport Authority (LTA) to assess NFC mobile payment readiness for transit in early 2013. As part of the preparation, a public trial will be conducted by EZ-Link in end 2012, in partnership with public transport operators.

About Gemalto

Gemalto (Euronext NL0000400653 GTO) is the world leader in digital security with 2011 annual revenues of €2 billion and more than 10,000 employees operating out of 74 offices and 14 Research & Development centers in 43 countries.

We are at the heart of our rapidly evolving digital society. Billions of people worldwide increasingly want the freedom to communicate, travel, shop, bank, entertain and work – anytime, everywhere – in ways that are convenient, enjoyable and secure. Gemalto delivers on their expanding needs for personal mobile services, payment security, identity protection, authenticated online services, cloud computing access, eHealthcare and eGovernment services, modern transportation solutions and machine-to-machine (M2M) communication.

Gemalto develops secure software that runs on trusted devices which we design and personalize. We manage these devices, the confidential data they contain and the services they enable, throughout their life cycle. We innovate so that our clients can offer more ways of enhancing the convenience and security of their end-users’ digital lives.

Gemalto is thriving with the growing number of people using its software and secure devices to interact in the digital and wireless world.

For more information visit www.gemalto.com, www.justaskgemalto.com, blog.gemalto.com, or follow @gemalto on Twitter.

About Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore

The Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) is committed to growing Singapore into a dynamic global infocomm hub. IDA uses an integrated approach to developing infocommunications in Singapore. This involves nurturing a competitive telecoms market as well as a conducive business environment with programmes and schemes for both local and international companies. For more news and information, visit www.ida.gov.sg.

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