The First Commercial Rollout of Mobile Contactless Services in Nice Paves the way for a National Deployment in France

The First Commercial Rollout of Mobile Contactless Services in Nice Paves the way for a National Deployment in France

NICE, France, December 15, 2010/PRNewswire/ --     The AFSCM (Association Francaise du Sans Contact Mobile) draws
positive conclusions from the first European mobile contactless rollout that
took place in Nice last May. A qualitative survey(1) demonstrates positive
user feedback, underlining a quick and enthusiastic adoption of
"cityzi"-branded contactless services and mobile phones.

    Nice: a winning initiative

    The strong cooperation between project participants has
allowed the successful rollout of interoperable cityzi services in Nice:
access to local and cultural information (cityzi tag reading), purchase and
validation of urban transport tickets, real time traffic information and
timetables (BPASS Lignes d'Azur service), smart shopping with major retailers
(couponing, digital loyalty programs), contactless mobile payment with major
banks, etc...These services are available to owners of Samsung Player One
cityzi phones. They use a SIM card as secure element, thus meeting security
requirements from all stakeholders and allowing a coordinated and quick
response in case of problem. Thanks to its open architecture and standardised
"Over The Air" installation process, new service providers can regularly join
the project.

    Toward a national deployment

    The robustness of the technical solution, compliant with
international standards, and the overall customer satisfaction confirm French
mobile operators and other key NFC players in their willingness to deploy a
nationwide mobile contactless offer in France in 2011. This commitment will
be facilitated by the availability of a wide range of cityzi handsets from
2011 and benefit from the short-term perspective of a deployment in several
major other French agglomerations.

    Cityzi, an innovation matching its promise

    Early findings show that customers value cityzi for its
convenience and ease of use. They understand the value it adds to existing
services: << You don't have to search for your wallet or queue up to buy a
ticket, it saves a lot of time! >>. They consider cityzi as a major
innovation, yet in continuity with their existing habits: << It's easy to
use, technology is getting simpler and simpler. >>, <<It's as valuable as the
Internet or even the mobile phone itself >>. To the extent that some users
have trouble apprehending the future without Cityzi << If it breaks (...), I
would try to get a new phone with Cityzi inside, since I'm using it and
satisfied with it.>>.

    About AFSCM (http://www.afscm.org)

    The AFSCM is a non-profit organization whose mission is to
facilitate the technical development of interoperable mobile NFC applications
and to promote their benefits among end users, service providers and
technology vendors. Created in 2008 by Bouygues Telecom, Orange France and
SFR, the AFSCM members today include MNOs/MVNOs (NRJ Mobile), service
providers (Airtag, BNP Paribas, Credit Mutuel-CIC, LaSer, Societe
Generale,Veolia Transport) and technology providers (Atos Worldline,
Connecthings,Gemalto,Innovision Oberthur Technologies, Orange Business
Services,Prylos, Safran Morpho, Snapp').

    The cityzi brand certifies that the mobile contactless service
or device is AFSCM-compliant, guaranteeing its interoperability.

    Press contact

    Samira FERTAS - Com&Co +33-6-15-41-20-59 samiraf@com-n-co.com

    [1] Qualitative survey conducted last October by LH2

Source: AFSCM

Press contact: Samira FERTAS - Com&Co +33-6-15-41-20-59 samiraf@com-n-co.com