KUALA LUMPUR, 9 APRIL 2009 -- The world's first contactless mobile payment service has been launched in Malaysia, according to Malaysian mobile operator Maxis Communications (Maxis), together with partners Nokia, Visa, Maybank and Touch ‘n Go.
Maxis chief executive officer, Sandip Das, said: “Maxis FastTap is an integrated mobile payment service that uses near field communication (NFC) technology, with partners such as phone company Nokia, financial services companies Visa and Maybank, and Malaysia’s Touch ‘n Go card.”
NFC is a short-range wireless technology that allows communications between devices at close range. As an open platform technology, NFC offers high levels of interoperability between devices and readers and is now the global standard for contactless mobile payments, with a wide range of features that allows credit card, debit card, ticketing and transportation payments to be integrated into a mobile phone.
First commercial service
Das said Maxis FastTap is the first global commercial launch for integrated credit card and transit payment applications on a Nokia 6212 classic device. “Maxis FastTap features over-the-air personalisation of credit card information over a mobile service operator’s network using a Trusted Service Manager interface.”
“With this launch, customers who sign up for Maxis FastTap are now able to use their Nokia 6212 classic phones to purchase goods and services at more than 1,800 Visa payWave merchant locations as well as pay for toll, transit, parking and theme park charges at more than 3,000 Touch ‘n Go points nationwide,” he said.
“The success of any new technology depends on having a solid ecosystem in place at launch,” added Das. “In this regard, Maxis was fortunate to work with Nokia, Visa, Maybank and Touch ‘n Go—all leaders in their fields—in developing this, from concept, trials and now, to commercial rollout of the world’s first integrated service that incorporates credit card and transport payment features.”
“Malaysia was the first place in the world where Visa tried out its Visa payWave technology, so it is only fitting that it is now the first country in the world to offer Visa payWave on an NFC-enabled mobile phone on a commercial basis,” said Visa Malaysia country manager, Stuart Tomlinson. “Malaysian customers continue to enjoy the same benefits of speed and convenience, similar to their Visa payWave cards, on their mobile phones. This innovation, born out of the strength of the alliance between Visa, Maxis and Maybank, bodes well for the future of payment innovation in Malaysia.”
Maybank head of consumer banking, Lim Hong Tat, said: “The Maybankard Visa payWave mobile service appeals to tech-savvy members who want a mobile device that does more as well as reflects their lifestyle.”
Nokia classic phone
“Touch ‘n Go is committed to add lifestyle values for our customers, and we truly believe in this collaboration to enhance our value proposition in capturing new customers,” said Touch ‘n Go managing director, Hasni Zarina Mohamed Khan. “With the Touch ‘n Go application, customers will have a personalised top-up terminal built into their Nokia 6212 classic phone that will soon enable top-up mobility over-the-air and simultaneously at their fingertips.”
“NFC offers consumers an easy and intuitive way of using a mobile device for secure transactions through a one-touch-access to services,” said Nokia general manager, Singapore, Malaysia and Brunei, Vlasta Berka. “The NFC-enabled Nokia 6212 classic will change the way mobile phone users interact with devices and services in their surroundings. Nokia is excited to be involved in bringing the value of electronic payments and services directly into the mobile phone, making consumers’ everyday lives more convenient."
