StarHub unveils world's first NFC movie ticketing service

It will be available starting 6 April.

According to a release, StarHub, in collaboration with Shaw Theatres, today announced the enhancement of its mobile wallet, SmartWallet, with the world’s first NFC movie ticketing service. Beginning 6 April 2013, SmartWallet will allow movie fans to browse and book their favourite movies at Shaw Theatres on-the-go, with the added convenience of collecting their movie tickets with a single tap of their NFC smartphone.

“When StarHub launched SmartWallet in August last year, we were the first mobile operator in Asia Pacific to successfully integrate contactless payment and location-based digital couponing services into a single mobile app. Customer response has been positive and we are encouraged by the continued growth in sign-up rate,” said Ms Yeong Mun-Ling, Vice President of Business Strategy, StarHub.

“In collaboration with Shaw Theatres, we are very pleased to unveil the world’s first NFC movie ticketing service that will allow our customers to conveniently book, pay for and tap to print movie tickets directly with SmartWallet. We are continually enhancing SmartWallet with more contactless payment and lifestyle options by working with like-minded partners who are committed to developing Singapore’s NFC mobile payment landscape.”

“We are constantly on the lookout for innovative solutions to bring quality experience to our patrons, and we are revamping Shaw Centre to align it with the positioning and target audience of Shaw Theatres Lido. On that note, we are excited to collaborate with StarHub to offer NFC services and increase payment options on our ticketing platform, bringing convenience to our technology savvy customers,” said Mr Mark Shaw, Executive Vice President of Operations, Shaw Theatres.

To begin using SmartWallet, customers with an NFC smartphone can simply get a StarHub NFC SIM card and subscribe to the free SmartWallet value-added service. They can then download the free SmartWallet app from Google Play. Existing SmartWallet users can enjoy the new movie ticketing experience just by updating the SmartWallet app to the latest version.

Starting this Saturday, movie goers will be able to print their stored digital movie tickets by tapping their NFC smartphone on a dedicated NFC ticket collection reader at all Shaw Theatres box offices, after purchasing the movie tickets through SmartWallet.

As a limited-time launch promotion, one-time fees for the StarHub NFC SIM card, activation of SmartWallet service and preloaded NFC payment cards (NFC ez-link purse and NFC FEVO Pre-paid MasterCard) will be waived for both existing and new mobile post-paid customers. In addition, Shaw Theatres’ standard ticket booking fee of $1 will be waived for all transactions done through SmartWallet between 6 April 2013 and 5 May 2013.

StarHub will start the retail of Samsung GALAXY Express this Saturday, expanding its line-up of NFC Android smartphones to six models. For customers’ convenience, the SmartWallet app is preloaded in certified smartphones sold at StarHub Shops and authorised dealers.

SmartWallet houses three contactless payment card options, DBS One.Tap, NFC ez-link purse and NFC FEVO Pre-paid MasterCard, allowing StarHub Mobile customers to make secure NFC payments and enjoy lifestyle services conveniently at partner merchants across Singapore. Currently, SmartWallet is the only service in Singapore which allows users to browse, download and redeem digital merchant coupons to enjoy discounts and deals.