SingTel and EZ-Link launch cashless payment service

Tap your smartphone for cashless payments at 20,000 taxis, supermarkets and fastfoods.

The mobile payment service, which uses Near Field Communication or NFC technology for smartphones, allows users to make cashless payments by tapping supported handsets at NFC contactless payment terminals.

These terminals are located at over 20,000 points island-wide that accept ez-link payment, such as taxis, supermarkets and fast food chains, said a release from both companies.

The EZ-Link mobile application can be downloaded from the Google Play store for use on NFC-enabled Android mobile handsets.

The app allows customers to check transaction history and balances, top-up the ez-link purse with any debit or credit card, and sign-up for Activate! – a complimentary EZ-Link programme which enables ez-link purse blocking and refunds of the ez-link purse in cases of the loss of phones.

"A unique feature of the EZ-Link mobile app is the over-the-air top-up – a first for NFC solutions launched in Singapore. What this means for SingTel customers is that they can easily download the app and conveniently top-up on the go, just by using their NFC-enabled phone," said the release.

"The service is available for customers who have a supported NFC smartphone and purchase an NFC SIM card from SingTel. There are no additional monthly subscription charges or one-time activation charges for this NFC payment service," it added.

"As a bonus, customers will enjoy a waiver of the $5 administrative fee and receive $5 complimentary stored value in the ez-link purse if they sign up by 30 September 2012. This allows customers to make payments immediately and conveniently at participating retail points that support ez-link payment," they added.

Customers can also do physical top-ups at People’s Association (PA) Community Clubs (CCs) EZ-Link top-up machines, DBS/POSB ATMs, or via the EZ-Online service where a convenience fee applies.

“The NFC solution that we are launching today is the first of many innovative mobile services that SingTel will unveil. We will progressively launch differentiated services that enhance our customers’ lifestyles and provide them with a unique mobile commerce experience, ranging from payments to value-added services," said Ms Gan Siok Hoon, SingTel’s Vice President of mCommerce.

More information can be found in the new EZ-Link NFC website at www.ezlinknfc.com.