KDDI to launch NFC services in Japan
17 January, 2012
category: NFC, Smart Cards, Transit
Japanese mobile operator KDDI has announced that it will launch NFC-based commercial services with Japan Airlines, credit card issuers, retailers and loyalty program providers, reports NFC World.
Set to launch as early as the end of January, KDDI’s NFC technology will enable users to make contactless mobile payments from credit or prepaid accounts, redeem coupons and tickets, use loyalty and membership cards, read NFC tags and make peer-to-peer transactions.
According to NFC World, credit providers Orient Corporation, Credit Saison and JACCS are currently working to introduce NFC payments with KDDI. Seven Card Service is also preparing an NFC-version of its Nanaco electronic cash service, which is commonly used in the non-NFC standard Osaifu-Keitai mobile wallet service.
Additionally, Japan Airlines (JAL) says it will introduce NFC airline tickets and boarding passes starting this summer, and Bic Corporation and by Culture Convenience Club plan to offer NFC version of its T-Card loyalty program in Tsutaya stores and in a number of other retail chains.
Other future rollouts include: mobile coupons and gift card services from Dai Nippon Printing; NFC tag-based social media campaigns from movie theater and entertainment provider Tokyu Recreation Co; NFC tag deployments in Tokyo’s Ginza shopping district and the Ueno Zoo for information services; and a time-management solution by Ivy Co and E-Works wherein employees clock in and out with their NFC phones.
KDDI has picked Gemalto to act as trusted service manager (TSM) for the system, while Dai Nippon Printing (DNP) will provide provisioning services, as well as help to develop NFC applications, SIM cards, NFC payment terminals and tag reading solutions, according to NFC World.
KDDI has also enlisted the help of Toshiba and MasterCard, who will develop NFC SIM cards and ensure payments are compatible with MasterCard’s PayPass contactless payments system, respectively.
The services will be available exclusively to the Samsung Galaxy S II at launch, but KDDI plans to add more compatible handsets in the near future.
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