Russian telecom network operators MegaFon and VimpelCom have tapped Gemalto for sourcing NFC SIMs for their 180 million subscribers.
Mobile subscribers of MegaFon and VimpelCom can utilize these NFC SIMs to enjoy the benefits of Moscow’s new mobile ticketing program.
The Troika transport card app allows travelers to board metro trains, trams and buses across the Russian capital by a tap on the handset on a contactless reader.
MegaFon and VimpelCom are supplying UpTeq Multi-Tenant NFC SIM to their subscribers free of charge. Tickets can be purchased directly via the Troika app, with payment debited automatically from the user’s regular phone bill.
12 out of 13 countries that offer mobile NFC ticketing services to their commuters have selected Gemalto’s UpTeq Multi-Tenant SIM.
“During the first 6 months of 2015 the number of payments increased 60% compared to the same period in 2014 and revenue from mobile financial services rose 30%. We are seeing a rise in the number of NFC-enabled devices in our network. Over the last year this number has almost doubled both in Moscow and across Russia,” said Hayk Karapetyan, director of Financial Service at MegaLabs.
“With a strong local presence and personalization center in Russia we know they can serve us with a very high level of responsiveness,” said Alexander Sakharov, MFS director for VimpelCom.
