Bordeaux begins NFC city services trial

A new public trial of NFC-enabled mobile phones, contactless cards and contactless USB keys has been launched in the French city of Bordeaux.

The trial builds on the city’s existing smart card based Bordeaux ma ville city services card which enables local residents to:

  • Make purchases at local merchants using a Moneo prepaid account.
  • Access and make payments at local swimming pools.
  • Access and make payments for skate hire and use of the skating rink.
  • Store their library membership card and pay for photocopying services.
  • Store their resident’s parking permit and pay for parking.
  • Pay for school meals.
  • Access and pay for nurseries and child minders.
  • Access discounts on cultural activities for those aged under 25.

The new trial will last for six months and will involve 300 volunteers who will be provided free of charge with a contactless card, a contactless USB key or a Samsung Tocco Lite NFC phone. The services available will depend on the type of device issued to a particular participant so that:

  • All participants will be able to make payments using a Moneo-branded prepaid account, access and make payments at local swimming pools and at the skating rink and will be able to access special offers available to those aged under 25.
  • Those issued with a contactless card will also be able to pay for parking, school meals and childcare and will be able to use their card to access library services. This function will also be available to USB key holders in a second phase.
  • Participants issued with a contactless card will be able to top up their prepaid account via the internet using a contactless reader attached to their PC. Contactless USB key holders will also be able to top up their account via the internet while NFC phone users will be able to top up directly from their mobile phone.
  • NFC phone users will also be able to view their account details on their handset.

Bordeaux has developed the solutions to be tested in partnership with Orange Business Services, Moneo Payment Solutions and Applica. In January, Bordeaux was one of nine cities to receive funding from the French government for the development of NFC services, along with Paris, Caen, Lille, Marseille, Rennes, Strasbourg, Toulouse and Nice.

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