The adoption of Near Field Communication (NFC) payment systems by retailers in the US has been talked about for some time now but has been slow to catch on for a variety of reasons. Some Android based smartphones already have NFC chips designed in, and the rumor mill swirls about Apple potentially including NFC in the next iPhone.
Isis TM is the mobile commerce joint venture created by AT&T Mobility, T-Mobile USA and Verizon Wireless which is trying to develop a mobile payment system using terminals at merchant locations that are compatible with NFC enabled mobile devices, like smartphones. The group just announced the first of its local merchant partners to integrate the Isis TM payment terminals at their locations starting for now in Austin, Texas and Salt Lake City, Utah. In addition to payment transactions, the terminals will allow merchants to pass on customer loyalty and rewards incentives.
Read the rest of the press release below.
AUSTIN, TEXAS and SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH – May 15, 2012 – Isis™, the mobile commerce joint venture created by AT&T Mobility, T-Mobile USA and Verizon Wireless, today announced the first of its local merchant partners across Austin, Texas and Salt Lake City, Utah. In addition, Aéropostale, The Coca-Cola Company, Champs Sports, Dillard’s, Foot Locker, Jamba Juice and Macy’s are among the first national merchants to join with Isis in advancing mobile commerce.
Isis’ national and local merchant partners join a long list of major merchants who already accept contactless payments. These merchants, including grocery stores, retailers, gas stations, coffee shops and restaurants, are already equipped with the payment terminals that are compatible with Isis. At launch, hundreds of merchant locations in both Austin and Salt Lake City will accept contactless payments, ensuring that consumers can use the Isis Mobile Wallet at the merchant locations they shop at every day.
“Today’s announcement signals the mobile commerce experience has arrived. A strong merchant base in Austin and Salt Lake City will make the Isis Mobile Wallet real for consumers as they choose to use their mobile wallet at many of their favorite merchant locations to pay and redeem offers,” said Jim Stapleton, chief sales officer, Isis. “We look forward to working closely with both local and national merchants to enable a mobile commerce experience that transforms how consumers shop and interact with their favorite brands.”
Beyond payments, Isis will provide merchants with a platform to extend relevant offers and loyalty programs to their customer base, ensuring a more relevant and meaningful dialogue for consumers and merchants. The Isis Mobile Wallet will extend the relationship that merchants currently enjoy at the point-of-sale to the mobile device.