Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology is being used to enable contactless payment solutions for consumers in various venues, all in the name of making the buying experience faster and more convenient.
On Track Innovations Ltd. (OTI) and Smart System Technologies Inc. (SST) announced a partnership to deploy 5,000 OTI Saturn readers at sports venues and retailers through the United States as part of STI’s PowerPay contactless microprocessor-based smart-card payment solution.
The solution, initially installed at the Detroit Lions’ Ford Field, the Philadelphia Eagles’ Lincoln Financial Field and the Seattle Seahawks’ Qwest Field, allows consumers to purchase items by waving a PowerPay tag in front of a PowerPay-enabled reader.
First, consumers must link the PowerPay tag to an existing credit card or checking account, free. When the tag is waved before the reader, RFID technology identifies the tag, allowing consumers to purchase goods and enabling merchants to deliver additional rewards to consumers.
“The speed and convenience of the contactless card program is a natural for sports fans who don’t want to miss the action while standing in concession lines,” said Ohad Bashan, president of OTI America.
McDonald’s restaurants also this week announced certain of its locations will accept MasterCard PayPass, a contactless payment option that uses RFID.
The solution will allow MasterCard PayPass cardholders to make purchases by waving their cards near a Verifone Omni 7000 card reader in the restaurants.
McDonald’s said its Dallas and New York-area restaurants will implement the solution later this year, with additional locations to be added in 2005.
“In today’s fast-paced world, people count on the convenience and utility of electronic payment options,” said Fred Gore, senior vice president of North America Acceptance at MasterCard International.
