With My EZ-Link Mobile, consumers now have personal top up devices in the palm of their hands
SINGAPORE, 5 December 2013 – EZ-Link Pte Ltd, Singapore’s largest issuer of CEPAS-compliant cards, announced the launch of the world’s pioneering mobile application for the topping up of ez-link cards using Near Field Communication (NFC) technology.
Known as My EZ-Link Mobile, the app transforms NFC handsets into portable personal top-up devices, to enable on-the-go reloading of ez-link cards. The top-up process is entirely cashless, allowing users to pay with their credit or debit cards, with MasterCard as the preferred card.
Besides the top-up functionality, My EZ-Link Mobile also presents other useful features such as card transaction history viewing of up to the last 30 transactions, card balance viewing, management of multiple ez-link cards and personalisation of the app.
Wirecard AG, a global leading specialist in payment processing and issuing, is one of EZ-Link’s key partners in the development of My EZ-Link Mobile, making mobile payment for this NFC top-up service secure, fast and easy.
“The new My EZ-Link Mobile underscores the pivotal role of mobile phones in the payment ecosystems of the future, as well as Singapore’s position on the forefront in the adoption of mobile technologies and services. We are delighted to be a part this initiative as a technology partner to EZ-Link.” said Jan Marsalek, COO of Wirecard AG.
“EZ-Link is excited to achieve this global-first milestone in the rapidly developing field of NFC. This is an accomplishment we are proud of, as a home grown company with a strong commitment to transform Singapore into a fully cashless society. Seeing consumers’ shift to mobile services, we have made it possible for them to top up their ez-link cards using their NFC handsets. ” said Mr Nicholas Lee, CEO of EZ-Link Pte Ltd.
“Using My EZ-Link Mobile service will enable every household to have their own top up device, where they can enjoy on demand top ups, permitting them to perform cashless payments on public transit and at more than 30,000 acceptance points including taxis, supermarkets and fast food chains island-wide. We will continue to work with our partners to make the tremendous potential of NFC a reality for ez-link card holders,” added Mr. Lee.
“My EZ-Link Mobile is a great example of how NFC technology can be used in a meaningful way to bring convenience to the lives of consumers. MasterCard is pleased to be collaborating with EZ-Link once again to pioneer new innovations in the NFC space – first with mobile NFC payments powered by MasterCard PayPass, and now in this world-first, enabling commuters in Singapore to easily top up their stored value transport cards with their MasterCard cards,” said Ms Julienne Loh, General Manager, Singapore, MasterCard.
Other key partners for My EZ-Link Mobile include Samsung, the preferred handset that offers several NFC handset models that work with the app.
“As the leading Android mobile manufacturer in Singapore, Samsung aims to provide smartphone users with apps and services that make their lives more convenient. Consumers are already actively using their smartphones to go about their daily activities, from planning their train and bus journeys to mobile banking. We are glad to partner with EZ-Link for My EZ-Link Mobile, to allow consumers to top up their EZ-Link cards on the go.” said Irene Ng, Vice President, Marketing, Samsung Asia Pte Ltd.
McAfee, the world’s largest dedicated security company, will aid EZ-Link in promoting online vigilance by offering My EZ-Link Mobile app users with its award-winning McAfee Mobile Security software at an exclusive introductory price or a free trial.
“We are happy to partner EZ-Link as both our organisations support a secure yet convenient mobile lifestyle,” said Wahab Yusoff, Vice President, South Asia, McAfee. “Considering how much personal informational all of us have on our smartphones, it’s crucial to protect this data and safeguard ourselves against loss or theft of our mobile devices.”
Food Junction, which covers the operation and management of food courts and restaurants across Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Hong Kong and China will also be on board for this project, to help increase awareness for My EZ-Link Mobile and NFC technology in Singapore. Users who flash their smartphones with the downloaded My EZ-Link Mobile app will be able to enjoy the discounts** and complimentary Christmas specials at Food Junction outlets.
Prior to My EZ-Link Mobile, in August 2012, EZ-Link also became the first to launch over-the-air top-up employing NFC technology in Singapore through an NFC SIM card, in collaboration with SingTel.
Available for downloaded for free at the Google Play store, the My EZ-Link Mobile app is compatible with selected NFC Android phones*. Each top-up comes with a convenience fee of S$0.30 per transaction, which will be waived for a promotional period of six months, for MasterCard cardholders, from the date of the launch.
*Refer to Annex A for a list of NFC Android phones compatible with My EZ-Link Mobile
**Refer to Annex B for the list of Food Junction discounts
About EZ-Link Pte Ltd
EZ-Link Pte Ltd was formed on 8 January 2002. Its core business is the clearing and settlement of all EZ-Link card transactions generated in transit and non-transit (retail/merchant) environments, as well as the sale, distribution and overall management of EZ-Link cards. To date, more than 17 million new CEPAS-compliant EZ-Link cards have been issued. This is in tandem with the government’s plan to promote cashless payments in Singapore. In line with this vision, the new EZ-Link card is now also accepted as a mode of payment for Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) and at carparks fitted with the Electronic Payment System (EPS) when used in the dual-mode in-vehicle unit.
Annex A – List of NFC Android phones currently compatible with My EZ-Link Mobile
| Phone | Model |
|---|---|
| Samsung | Galaxy Ace 3 With LTE |
| Galaxy Express | |
| Galaxy S III | |
| Galaxy S III With LTE | |
| Galaxy Note II With LTE | |
| Galaxy S4 With LTE | |
| Sony | Xperia Z Ultra |
| Xperia Z | |
| LG | G2 |
| Optimus G Pro | |
| *Android versions approved for My EZ-Link Mobile may vary. Please refer to www.ezlinknfc.com for full details | |
Annex B – Food Junction Discounts
1) Complimentary Waffle with ice cream with $80 spend at Eggs & Berries @ Westgate
25 Dec 13 to 30 Jan 14
*Flash downloaded My EZ-Link Mobile app to enjoy a complimentary waffle
2) 1-for-1 Pizza from MEDZ (Millenia Walk and Orchard Central)
26 Dec to 15 Jan 14
*Flash downloaded My EZ-Link Mobile app to enjoy 1-for-1 pizza, the higher lower price pizza is complimentary
3) 20% off Yu Sheng (large size) from Boxing Crab, Sentosa
27 Jan to 14 Feb 14
*Flash downloaded My EZ-Link Mobile App app to enjoy 20% discount