EZ-Link positions the EZ-Link card as a true lifestyle card of consumers with the EZ-Online Service

ez-link card users to enjoy convenient, secured online top-ups, download of ez-Coupons and other services with Sony’s PaSoRi card reader and writer
Issued By: EZ-Link Pte Ltd

SINGAPORE, 30 August 2006 – EZ-Link Pte Ltd announces the launch of EZ-Online. This new, innovative and secured service allows consumers to enjoy the convenience of topping up their ez-link cards from the comfort of their homes, offices or any place with direct access to the Internet, view their card transactions records, download ez-Coupons and much more. With EZ-Online, the ez-link card has attained its intended position of being much more than a transit card. It has become a powerful lifestyle contact-less smartcard offering a whole suite of other benefits in both the real and virtual worlds.

To enjoy the convenience of EZ-Online, ez-link card users just have to connect Sony’s PaSoRi Contactless IC Card Reader/Writer (RC-S320) ( PaSoRi card reader and writer) to an Internet-enabled PC or laptop, log on to EZ-Online at www.ezlink.com.sg , place their cards on the PaSoRi card reader and writer and go through a few simple guided steps to top-up their cards. They can select to top-up their cards at a minimum of $5 and up to a maximum of S$50 with their VISA Credit or Debit cards, and in the future from bank accounts. Topping up with EZ-Online goes through the secure payment gateway TeleMoney provided by Systems@Work Pte Ltd.

One Card, Many Benefits

Parents will particularly find this online top-up service very beneficial as they can now top up their children’s ez-link cards from home or office. They no longer need to pass their children cash to top up cards nor need to make a trip to the MRT station just for the top-ups.

With EZ-Online, parents can also top-up their children’s ez-link cards remotely. All they need to do is to log on to EZ-Online, click on the remote top-up button and key in the unique number of the ez-link card, choose the top-up value and key in their VISA Credit or Debit card details via the TeleMoney payment gateway. Once approved, the child can go to the nearest PC or laptop with a PaSoRi card reader and writer r , logon to EZ-Online, present the relevant ez-link card on the PaSoRi card reader and writer and click on the ‘Top-Up Card’ tab to complete the transaction. This option makes topping-up via EZ-Online possible anytime, anywhere.

EZ-Online also enables users to check, print and keep track of their cards’ detailed transaction history for up to 20 records. Employees who need to submit their transportation claims will find this function useful as they can effortlessly print out their ez-link card usage history for submission.

Users can also download ez-Coupons directly into their cards and obtain discounts at a myriad of merchants. Up to eight coupons can be stored into the card at anytime. In conjunction with the launch roadshow on the 9 th and 10 th September, users can get ez-Coupons for various offers from a pioneer batch of merchants in leisure, food and beverage, beauty and fashion industries who have taken the lead to adopt this innovative way of reaching out to their customers.

In the near future, users will also be able to download ez-Vouchers, ez-Tickets, enjoy shopping, pay fines, make ez-Payments for e-Gaming games, music downloads and other entertainment-on-demand content all online and all through the ez-link card. In short, the ez-link card has truly become the all-in-one card with uses in retail, loyalty programmes, transit, access controls and as identity verification.

For a limited period, EZ-Link will waive the convenience fee for users to top-up their cards using EZ-Online. Subsequently, users will need to pay a top-up fee comparable to other existing ez-link top-up convenience fees in retail outlets.

Sony is a key partner that helps make possible the many benefits of EZ-Online through its PaSoRi card reader and writer, encompassing the smart card technology called FeliCa which is in every ez-link card currently. Retailing at $49 (GST inclusive), the reader is now available in all Sony Gallery stores, major electronics and IT shops. (Refer to Annex A for a list of retail stores.)

"EZ-Link is very excited to break new frontiers by presenting the EZ-Online service with Sony and our other partners. The ez-link card has already become a part of the lives nearly 9 million ez-link card users. Now, with the launch of this service, these users can use their cards not just to take the MRT, bus, used as door access at schools and in the office or even at retail outlets like 7-Eleven, MacDonalds. They can now also access a huge range of services over the Internet. Netizens who have always been limited to the few and not always safe online payment modes can use something already in their wallet without even the need for a credit or bank account to make payments online. This revolutionary online service will also open up new opportunities for merchants as they can now reach their target audience in a refreshing and convenient way," says Nicholas Lee, Senior Vice President, EZ-Link Pte Ltd.

"The ez-link card is the most successful prepaid stored value card in Singapore, having nearly 9 million cards issued to date within a short span of 3 years and a half. As the inventor of the FeliCa technology behind ez-link cards, Sony contributes to the expansion of ez-link cards services with its new PaSoRi Contactless IC card reader and writer together with EZ-Online to offer greater convenience, simplicity and security to ez-link card users. In Japan and various Asia Pacific countries like Hong Kong and Singapore, the FeliCa technology has set a de-facto standard for electronic money and ticketing and it is also gaining popularity in Thailand, India and China," says Mr. Lim Boon Seng, Head of Smartcard Business Center, Recording Media & Energy Division, Sony Electronics Asia Pacific.

"We congratulate EZ-Link on the launch of EZ-Online service. Leveraging technology, EZ-Link is able to launch new services and provide added value to its customers," says Wong Heng Chew, managing director, Singapore, Sun Microsystems. "We are delighted that EZ-Link selected Sun Microsystems’ Sun Fire x-64 servers and Java technology to power EZ-Online service. Sun’s technologies will help ensure EZ-Link runs a streamlined, highly scalable and reliable infrastructure equipped to deal with the high-level of transactions."

"The services launched today brings further convenience to consumers by enabling them to do simple things like top-up of their ez-link cards at home. As EZ-Link’s exclusive partner in the non-transit payment space, QB aims to extend the convenience offered by the ez-link card for payments over the internet as well besides the physical channels to revolutionise the way consumers pay for everyday necessities," says Ms Chua Siew Ling, General Manager, QB Pte Ltd.

"Making the option available for consumers to top up their ez-link cards online and through mobile definitely cater to the increasingly net-centric lifestyle of Singaporeans. Systems@Work is pleased to be part of the team that brings EZ-Online to Singaporeans by leveraging on our innovative electronic and mobile payment infrastructure called TeleMoney. Besides top-ups, we are also looking forward to use of the ez-link card as a payment mode for online purchases of services and products for the public in the near future," says Mr Ng Fook Sun, CEO, Systems@Work Pte Ltd

EZ-Online Roadshow and Online Game

To kickstart EZ-Online, EZ-Link and its partners will be holding a roadshow on the 9th to 10th September 2006 at the pedestrian walkway just outside The Heeren Shops. At this event, the public can enjoy fun and exciting activities and promotions, including free $2 top-ups for the first 300 ez-link card holders who turn up at the roadshow each day. Customers who purchase the Sony PaSoRi card reader and writer at the roadshow will also receive a free S$5 top-up from SONY. There will also be exciting prizes to be won on-site such as air travel vouchers and limited free Sony PaSoRi card reader and writer sponsored by QB Pte Ltd, EZ-Link’s partner in merchant acquisition.

In addition, there will be a free makeover sponsored by Red Earth, for the first 50 ladies who purchase a Sony PaSoRi card reader and writer at the roadshow for each day. Thereafter, they can also purchase a personalized ez-link card with their photo taken on-site at a heavily discounted rate of $5. (usual price of $16).

Miss Earth Singapore – Green and Glamour 2006 contestants will also make their appearance at the event on 9th September between 2 pm to 4 pm whereby they will be participating in various activities to show their support for EZ-Online. As an electronic online service and using ez-link cards that are bio-degradable, EZ-Online is in-line with their goal of conserving the earth.

Also in conjunction with the launch, EZ-Link will conduct an online game from 9th September to 31st December 2006 for the public. Anyone can play the game upon purchase of a PaSoRi card reader and writer. All they need to do is to log on to EZ-Online and answer a few simple questions to stand a chance to win Sony products and other prizes.

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