Snapper launches Touch2Pay in Auckland
Snapper's system that allows you to pay for goods by tapping a phone against a scanner is now avilable in Auckland.
Siobhan Keogh | Tuesday, September 18 2012 | 4 CommentsWellington company Snapper has launched its smartphone payment system, Touch2Pay, in Auckland.
The service uses near field communications (NFC) to allow users to pay for goods by tapping a smartphone, with a special Snapper-enabled 2degrees SIM installed, against a scanner.
There are currently five Android smartphones that have Touch2Pay enabled: the LG Optimus Net, Huawei Ascend Y201, LG Optimus L5, LG Optimus L7, and the Samsung Galaxy S III.
To pay for items with one of these phones, a Snapper app needs to be downloaded and activated on the device.
Snapper chief executive Miki Szikszai said when it came to NFC technology, the company had "nailed it".
"Initially a lot of people said we couldn't do this," he said. "They're the same people who said we couldn't do integrated ticketing a year ago when we started, and we've proved them wrong."
Previously, people who acquired Touch2Pay SIM cards in Wellington could use them in Auckland, but they were not officially supported.
Touch2Pay SIM cards, whether full-sized or micro SIMs, can be bought from 2degrees's website for $20.
Currently, Snapper cards are able to be used in many convenience stores and petrol stations around Auckland, as well as on NZ Bus services and in some taxis. Smartphone payment will be available in those retailers.
However, Snapper's 'Hop' bus cards are expected to be removed from Auckland buses by April next year.
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Posted by pablo at 15:36:00 on September 19, 2012
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As for moaning Aucklanders, well you voted in Len Brown, you get what you deserve.
Disclaimer - I no have relationship with any Infratil companies, or 2 degrees and am a Wellington City Rate Payer.
Posted by Andrew at 9:46:32 on September 19, 2012
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"Initially a lot of people said we couldn't do this," he said. "They're the same people who said we couldn't do integrated ticketing a year ago when we started, and we've proved them wrong."
What a joke that is! Integrated ticketing (and this new Touch2Pay) is delayed as hell, in fact there are going to be TWO forms of Auckland integrated ticketing (delivered late by the way) that are incompatible thanks to Snappers half-arsed and shoddy effort. Auckland Council is considering wheather paying the cost of dropping the contract will be worthwhile to avoid these guys.
The trick to introducing mobile payments is to side with Vodafone, Telecom and PayMark as well (they have already have formed an alliance (weirdly; with 2degrees as well) back near the beginning of this year). Obviously Snapper is too useless or wants too big a cut of the transaction fees to play nice with everyone, hence they have introduced a system with too many limitations.
The ideal is a NFC system would be one integrated with Google Wallet and Windows Phone Wallet (iPhone has lost out on this round). PayMark already has the technology to make this work in some NFC eftpos terminals.
Posted by Kieran at 8:53:59 on September 19, 2012
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Snapper is not delayed with Integrated Ticketing or Touch2Pay.
We've had Integrated Ticketing on all the services that we operate. Wellington since 2008 and Auckland since 2011. That includes the current fare policy in both Auckland and Wellington, including automatic transfer discounts where these apply. We've delivered all of milestones that we are contracted for in Auckland and we stand by that.
As for Touch2Pay, this is a world leading and NZ leading proposition. We have the broadest contactless payments network in NZ - 1000 buses, 3000 taxis and 500 retailers. There is no other acceptance network like it.
The reason for our launch yesterday was to share what we have done with the broader industry so they can learn from what our experience. We believe this is an opportunity for NZ to lead the world in mobile payments. Telecom, Vodafone and Paymark were all in attendance and we expect that the entire industry will work together here. For Snapper's part we will work with the Paymark venture once it is live. We don't have a date for that yet.
Miki
CEO
Snapper
Posted by Miki Szikszai at 13:49:44 on September 19, 2012
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