Ambiq Technology, a globally operating provider of disruptive technologies and services, and The VimpelCom Group ("Beeline"), one of the world's largest groups of integrated telecommunications services operators, have entered a partnership agreement, enabling St. Petersburg Metro riders to use their mobile phones to purchase tickets and ride public transportation.
Utilizing a phone that highly secure Near Field Communication (NFC) module, the riders can easily buy tickets and can ride public transportation, thus ensuring less paperwork and increased efficiency. The riders can installed these devices in existing mobile phones and work with the current Metro turnstiles, ground transport readers and ticket management system. In the recent future, both the companies plan to frame longer term strategy of enabling a mobile payment infrastructure in St. Petersburg, which will eventually include other services, such as utility payments, mobile banking, and retail payments utilizing Ambiq's hardware, as well as embedded NFC technology available in select phones starting this year.
"We appreciate the opportunity to participate in this project with Ambiq and the St. Petersburg Transportation Authority, and look forward to a long-term and mutually beneficial cooperation," said Elena Shmatova, Executive Director of VimpelCom, in a press release. "This innovative project will allow customers of Beeline with new opportunities and advancements through NFC technology."
Meanwhile, Ambiq also announced that it will showcase some of its latest NFC technology with Beeline at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, taking place June 16-18. Within Beeline's exhibit, Ambiq will be demonstrating the benefits of NFC-enabled smart-posters, secure mobile identification and NFC payment systems.
"We are honored to be chosen as the NFC technology partner for Beeline, one of the largest and most recognized telecommunication providers in the world. Our partnership will lead to the availability and adoption of NFC, starting with the City of St. Petersburg and expanding to other parts of Russia and Europe," said Misha Rozenberg, Ambiq's CEO.
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Rahul Arora is a IoTevolutionworld contributor. He has worked as an editor and freelance writer for several reputed organizations in India. To read more of his articles, please visit his columnist page.
Edited by Rich Steeves
