Ambiq Tech St. Petersburg, the Russian branch of American company Ambiq Technologies, yesterday unveiled a mobile phone add-on for Russian customers. Based on Near Field Communication technology, a short-range wireless connectivity standard, the insert allows customers to use their phone as a discount card or a payment instrument linked to their bank account.
Mobile operators have shown interest in such developments. “We are ready to consider all offers from NFC developers, as we believe this technology is the most promising for the development of mobile commerce in the field of cashless payments,” said a representative of VimpelCom, a leading Russian mobile operator.
Since 2010, Ambiq Tech St. Petersburg has developed a system allowing metro passengers to pay the fare using their mobile phones. This year, Ambiq Tech St. Petersburg intends to enlarge the technology’s applications. “In the future, residents and visitors of St. Petersburg will be able to pay for meals, taxi rides, retail purchases, and public transportation – all with their mobile phone over our secure platform,” said Misha Rozenberg, Ambiq’s CEO, earlier this year.
Source: Ambiqtech, ComNews.ru
