If all goes as planned a new smart card-based ticketing system could make its way onto buses in Southend-on-Sea, UK, according to echo-news.co.uk. The local council has requested £2.1 million in government funding to support a plan which includes the launch a new electronic smart card ticketing system, similar to London’s contactless fare payment card […]

Australia is moving towards a cashless society, with the latest trends indicating a rise in the number contactless payments, according to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Figures released by the Reserve Bank show decline in ATM cash withdrawals. In January, the total number of ATM withdrawals was down almost by nearly 1 million when compared to […]

UK Department of Transport announced that the use of smart cards for rail travel will be rolled out across the state as part of the new reforms being introduced by the government, according to thisjusthappened.com. The new system will function much like the paperless, Oyster card ticketing system being used in London. Justine Greening, secretary […]

Ingenico announced that it will integrate support for Isis’ Mobile Commerce Application into its line of new Telium series point of sale (POS) devices. Retailers across the U.S. using Ingenico’s Telium POS systems will be able to offer customers Isis-powered contactless payments, loyalty and coupons, all of which can be redeemed with the tap of […]

Qatar National Bank (QNB) and local teleco Qtel have teamed up to launch Qatar’s first commercially available NFC payments service. Powered by MasterCard and Oberthur Technologies, the service enables QNB and Qtel customers to make everyday purchases of up to QR100 ($27.50) with just a tap of their NFC-enabled mobile phone. QNB customers can use […]

GuestLogix has launched its Global Payment Services to provide airlines and travel operators the ability to transact onboard, or at any travel touch point, while adhering to growing payment certification requirements. GuestLogix’ Global Payment Services supports multiple currencies and payment methods including EMV transactions (both Chip & PIN and Chip & Signature), non-EMV (swipe) transactions, […]

In soft drink business, Coke and Pepsi might look the same, but consumers know that these two colas have different flavors. The market for contactless smart cards isn’t much different. The four players that dominate the industry – HID, NXP, Sony and LEGIC – have subtle differences that create the different contactless flavors. In addition […]

Smart Packaging Solutions (SPS) announced that its SPS EBooster technology has been recognized with 15 additional Visa and MasterCard certifications obtained in 2011. SPS EBooster technology enables smart card manufacturers to deliver dual-interface cards – contact & contactless – to financial institutions issuing banking cards. This ensures smart card manufacturers are able to adapt to […]

2012 is meant to be “the year of the contactless payment,” however a number of industry analysts believe that the technology is failing and, in turn, costing the consumer money, according to This is Money. Reports estimate that the cost of developing, installing and maintaining contactless terminals will be left for the consumers to deal […]

The NEC Group has inked a five-year partnership deal with payment provider Barclaycard, according to Birmingham Post. The partnership will see Barclaycard become the official payment partner of the NEC’s online ticketing operation, The Ticket Factory, and bring payment acceptance using contactless technology to the National Indoor Arena (NIA) in the center of Birmingham, UK. […]