Madrid's public transport system operator is working with Telefonica, Samsung and Gemalto to pilot mobile NFC ticketing.
Trial participants will download a transport application developed by Samsung specifically for its Galaxy handsets. Users will then be able to register their payment cards and purchase digital tickets for journeys on public transport.
Gemalto is providing the CRTM (Consorcio Regional de Transportes de Madrid) with its Allynis Trusted Service Manager (TSM) and Telefonica with its UpTeq Multitenant SIM technology.
Philippe Cambriel, president, Europe, Mediterranean and CIS, Gemalto, says: "With smartphone penetration now at 83%, CRTM is in an ideal position to realise an attractive combination of higher service standards and greater operating efficiency."
Meanwhile, Gemalto is also working with an outfit called Tapit on a system that will invite people to tap their phones against things like posters, product packaging and in-store marketing materials, enabled by an NFC tag, QR code or beacon.
The tapper will then be instantly directed to the media owner’s e-commerce site where they can buy digital content, in one click, charged to their operator phone bill.
The new collaboration has an initial focus on the UK for transactions worth up to £30 for digital content such as e-publications, video, music and games.