ROTTERDAM, Netherlands, Oct. 17, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Today, 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," says 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
Information about Payter can be found at www.payter.com.
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