Deutsche Telekom has invited smart cities to offer its new white-label contactless payment application, City Pass, as a way for residents to pay for municipal services.
The Germany based network operator unveiled the open platform concept at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. Based on blockchain technology, its proposed City Pass scheme would allow citizens to use a single app to securely pay for for multiple city services, such as bike rentals, library loans, and access to city-owned swimming pools and other facilities.
Deutsche Telekom said it is canvassing support from civic authorities to “jointly tailor” the City Pass solution to their own ends. It suggested residents’ applications for identity cards and other official documents could be transacted using the application too, from as early as next year.
“We want to make cities genuinely smart and not only connect data. With City Pass, we address the varying needs of cities: we offer new digital services for citizens, business and tourists. In addition, we also streamline administrative processes,” said Markus Keller, senior vice president of corporate innovation at Deutsche Telekom.
The City Pass app is designed to replace the different cards and memberships required for many municipal services. Deutsche Telekom said it will make the payment scheme available in a physical card format as well.
Deutsche Telekom proposes citizens will receive a “starter set” from the city at the outset, including vouchers or credit for city-run rental services and facilities.
