Guangzhou commuters can now pay bus fare with the wave of their handset. SIM card-activated handset payment POS machines are currently available on 30 Guangzhou buses. Aside from paying for the bus, passengers can use the machines to download music, look up information regarding entertainment venues and purchase entertainment-related tickets. China UnionPay had installed more than 300 handset-payment-enabled POS machines in three Shanghai commercial districts by mid-December, 2007.
Lisa
Hi Lisa, China Unicom's Shanghai site is promoting iPhone 3G services, that might be available soon, including:
Wave-to-pay
Mobile TV
Tethering
Video Conferencing
Of particular interest is the wave-to-pay promotion. Untold millions of Chinese commute to work via trains, subways and ferries. Any device that can simplify daily e-commerce would be a major value-add. Here’s my attempt to translate (from Mandarin) the China Unicom webpage:
China Unicom promoting wave-to-pay on iPhone
“Near-Field-Communication (NFC) swipe card handset a.k.a. “wave-to-pay,” offers convenience for those who use public transportation. It’s possible to use a handset swipe card to buy a ticket. This wave-to-pay has replaced the former public transportation IC card. Using the swipe card handset for shopping eliminates the needs to carrying cash. Using wave-to-pay also makes it easy to pay in the ferry terminal. Through the swipe card, the handset (phone) can purchase your passage and avoid the worry of lining up to purchase tickets. Not only does this technology eliminate the need to carry a public transportation IC card, you don’t even need a bankcard. All you need is the wave-to-pay handset (phone), to buy a ticket and do your shopping. One machine in the hand, opens access, and gives you control. Wave-to-pay makes life more convenient.”
Posted by: Dan Butterfield | March 25, 2009 at 05:31 AM
Hi, Dan,
Right, it's very interesting service!
I will tell you more if I have more info.
Regards,
Lisa
Posted by: Lisa | March 26, 2009 at 09:08 AM