Gemalto is for the first time making it possible for Singapore public transit commuters to pay their fare using their mobile phone. Gemalto’s UpTeq Multi-Tenant NFC SIM allows commuters to enjoy greater convenience through the embedded EZ-Link application, taking public transport with just a simple tap of their phone. Mobile network operators (MNOs) and banks can eventually use this platform to provide new value-added services too. The project is spearheaded by a consortium Gemalto is part of, and other partners include EZ-Link Pte Ltd, governing bodies and MNOs. EZ-Link runs the country’s largest e-payment system.
Exceptionally well-connected by buses and trains, Singapore’s mass transit network boasts a high daily ridership of 6.65 million trips. The island, with its population of 5.4 million, also has one of the highest smartphone penetration rates in the world with 8.1 million users. Besides transport usage, the new mobile payment service is compatible with an existing contactless infrastructure, featuring over 30,000 ez-link terminals from retail stores to food & beverage outlets, and a fleet of taxis. This makes it possible for consumers to leave their wallet at home, by just carrying a smartphone for all their daily purchases.
