Singapore StarHub launched e-payment via NFC technology
Singapore’s fully-integrated info-communication company, StarHub has become the first Telco in Singapore to launch Near Field Communication (NFC) digital wallet, namely “SmartWallet”. The SmartWallet allows StarHub’s mobile customers to enjoy the convenience of using three contactless payment cards on an NFC enabled smartphone – DBS One.Tap, NFC ez-link purse and NFC FEVO Pre-paid MasterCard.
SmartWallet will offer users a virtual DBS MasterCard PayPassTM card called One.Tap. With just one tap of the smart phone, customers can pay for goods or services quickly and securely at more than 20,000 DBS and MasterCard PayPass merchant partners in Singapore. Existing DBS card members can apply for One.Tap at any time through DBS Internet or mobile banking.
StarHub’s Head of Marketing and Product, Chan Kin Hung said “We believe that our next-generation SmartWallet will bring simplicity to everyday life, enhancing our customers’ lives at work, at home and at play. With SmartWallet, our customers can shop, enjoy discounts, skip queues at the cinemas, pay for transport trips, and use their digital credit or debit cards securely with a single tap of an NFC-enabled smartphone.” Sony Xperia Sola (carried exclusively by StarHub), Samsung Galaxy S lll and Sony Xperia S are three NFC enabled Android smartphone models approved for secure NFC payment service by various global payment standards authorities. The list of NFC compatible smartphone models will be expanded progressively. For customers’ convenience, StarHub will pre-load the SmartWallet app in approved smartphone models sold at StarHub Shops and authorised dealers.
The SmartWallet app makes browsing, downloading and redeeming virtual coupons a seamless experience for customers. They can redeem coupons to enjoy discounts and deals instantly with just one tap of the smartphone, while making a purchase at DBS and MasterCard partner merchants, such as Comfort Taxi, G2000, Pasta Mania, Watsons Convenience Stores, FOX Apparels, Pumpkin Patch, Toys R Us, PastaMania, Popeye’s Louisana Kitchen, Quiznos, Coldstone Creamery and Shaw Theatres, among others.
by Terry Brown
