SINGAPORE, 29 MARCH 2016 – Samsung Electronics Singapore today announced the list of Samsung NFC-enabled mobile phones approved for use with the new EZ-Link NFC SIM, in conjunction with the launch of NFC (Near Field Communication) mobile payment for the public transportation system in Singapore (Annex A*). With a total of 10 approved Samsung phone models for the new service, Samsung tops the list with the most number of phone models for the EZ-Link NFC SIM.
Working in full compatibility with EZ-Link’s next generation, full-service SIM, these NFC-enabled phones can be used for payments for MRT, LRT, bus rides as well as at more than 30,000 ez-link acceptance points island-wide including shopping, retail, food & beverages and taxis.
"Today, we have seen how there is a greater focus on the overall experience of smartphones beyond just hardware and innovation. The new EZ-Link NFC SIM is another addition that enhances the Samsung ecosystem as we continue our work to enrich the total mobile experience for consumers," said Eugene Goh, Vice President, IT & Mobile, Samsung Electronics Singapore.
The list of approved Samsung phones for the EZ-Link NFC SIM includes the newly launched Galaxy S7 4G+ and Galaxy S7 edge 4G+.
Tested and proven to work seamlessly with existing contactless infrastructure for Specification of Contactless e-Purse Application (CEPAS) transactions at the joint trial conducted by EZ-Link Pte Ltd, the Land Transport Authority (LTA), the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) and the Mobile Network Operators (MNOs), the Samsung NFC-enabled phones can be used in the same way an ez-link card is used for public transit and retail payments.
"As mobile handsets form a crucial part of the equation for NFC to take flight in Singapore, EZ-Link worked very closely with our partners to put an extensive range of NFC-enabled mobile phones through the trial to ensure their compatibility with our new EZ-Link NFC SIM. Most importantly, we want to provide consumers with the best possible experience so that they can adopt NFC for everyday use. With Samsung’s continued support, we hope to expand the list of approved phones so as to give consumers more options," said Nicholas Lee, Chief Executive Officer, EZ-Link Pte Ltd.
Existing users of the approved NFC-enabled phones can get the new EZ-Link NFC SIM cards at the respective MNOs progressively from 29 March 2016. More information on the new EZ-Link NFC SIM and the full list of NFC-enabled Samsung phones can be found on www.ezlinknfc.com. For availability and pricing, please contact the respective MNOs.
The list of NFC-enabled Samsung phones are as follows:-
1) Samsung GALAXY ACE 3 With LTE
2) Samsung GALAXY Note II LTE
3) Samsung Galaxy Note 5 4G+ (available with software update in Q2 2016)
4) Samsung GalaxyNote Edge 4G+
5) Samsung GALAXY S III
6) Samsung GALAXY SIII LTE
7) Samsung Galaxy S6 4G+ (available with software update in Q2 2016)
8) Samsung Galaxy S6 edge+ 4G+ (available with software update in Q2 2016)
10) Samsung Galaxy S7 edge 4G+
*Note: Performance may vary according to the different firmware versions.
About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. inspires the world and shapes the future with transformative ideas and technologies that redefine the worlds of TVs, smartphones, wearable devices, tablets, cameras, digital appliances, printers, medical equipment, network systems, and semiconductor and LED solutions. We are also leading in the Internet of Things space with the open platform SmartThings, our broad range of smart devices and through proactive cross-industry collaboration. We employ 319,000 people across 84 countries with annual sales of US $196 billion. To discover more, and for the latest news, feature articles and press material, please visit the Samsung Newsroom at http://news.samsung.com.
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. In 2013, EZ-Link launched the "My EZ-Link Mobile" application, the world’s first Near Field Communication (NFC) mobile application for contactless card top-ups. In 2015, EZ-Link unveiled two new innovations in Singapore, EZ-Charms, the first non-card form factor, as well as the EZ-Link Rewards with Perx to reward commuters for using public transport with the ez-link card.