Gemalto and EZ-Link Bring NFC Mobile Payments to Singapore Transit System

Gemalto is a leading digital security solution vendor in a myriad of markets. In fact, the company’s growing portfolio of IoT security solutions were highlighted recently at Mobile World Congress.  As a truly global company, it’s not surprising that Gemalto is often chosen by governments to implement key systems, like Gabon’s border and Visa system. And, this week the company is announcing a similar project in Singapore.

Specifically, Gemalto is part of a consortium that is making it possible for Singapore public transit commuters to pay for public transit with only a tap of their smartphone for the first time. Other partners include EZ-Link Pte Ltd, governing bodies and mobile network operators (MNOs).

EZ-Link in particular offered a crucial element to the project in the form of its embedded EZ-Link application. The partnership between Gemalto and EZ-Link is a natural one as the latter runs Singapore’s largest e-payment system.

“EZ-Link is pleased to have concluded the trial with our partners, and together with Gemalto, we have successfully launched the EZ-Link NFC SIM to enable commuters to make public transit payments with their NFC-enabled mobile phones,” said Nicholas Lee, chief executive officer, EZ-Link Pte Ltd.

In addition, this mobile transit project was made possible due to exceptionally well connected buses and trains that constitute Singapore’s mass transit system. This is complemented by the fact that the country has one of the highest smartphone penetration rates in the world.

Aside from transit usage, this new mobile payment service is also compatible with existing contactless infrastructure, with over 30,000 EZ-Link terminals in retail stores, food and beverage outlets, and taxis.

“This initiative is a Singapore first for mass transit. In the future, our NFC SIM can aggregate loyalty cards and discount coupons, delivering one-stop convenience for the users,” said Michael Au, president of South Asia and Japan at Gemalto. “We are also independently recognized as the world's top supplier of contactless mobile solutions for public transportation by ABI Research, Juniper Research and IHS.”