Isis signs Utah Transit Authority for 2012 launch in Salt Lake City

Salt Lake City is set to become ‘the place you can leave your wallet at home’, says Isis, as it announces the location of its launch city — and a change of business model to an open service that ‘will be available to all merchants, banks, payment networks and mobile carriers.’

Isis
ISIS: To provide a mobile wallet service open to all

Isis’ first commercial deployment will take place in Salt Lake City in early to mid-2012, the joint venture between AT&T MobilityVerizon Wireless and T-Mobile USA has announced.

Isis has signed up the Utah Transit Authority (UTA) to make the entire UTA transit system Isis-enabled for the launch, “marking the deployment of Isis as the first commercially available mobile transportation fare payment program in the US”.

Beyond transport services, Isis also plans to enable consumers to make purchases at stores across the Salt Lake City area. “The Isis system will evolve to offer customers a highly secure and convenient way to pay, redeem coupons and store merchant loyalty cards, all with the tap of their phone,” the company explains.

Isis has also signalled a change of direction with its planned business model in the announcement. “Additionally, Isis is investing in the necessary infrastructure to enable mobile commerce on a nationwide basis and will be available to all merchants, banks, payment networks and mobile carriers,” the company explains.

“By working with the Utah Transit Authority, Salt Lake Chamber and Salt Lake City-area merchants, Isis is bringing the mobile commerce vision to reality. Salt Lake City consumers will experience a new way to shop, pay and save,” said Michael Abbott, chief executive officer at Isis.

The announcement follows reports yesterday that rival US mobile network operator Sprint is to launch its own commercial NFC service in the US this year. Sprint also plans to offer an open NFC wallet.

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