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Isis Mobile Payment Service Rolling Out Nationally This Year

 & Stephanie Mlot Contributor

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Following successful pilots in Texas and Utah, the Isis Mobile Wallet will roll out nationwide later this year.

A joint venture created by AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon Wireless, Isis uses near field communication (NFC) technology to allow users to make virtual transactions with a tap of their smartphone.

The Google Wallet rival debuted in the fall of 2011, a multi-million-dollar plan aimed at giving consumers more choice: multiple payment networks, issuers, handsets, operating systems, and manufacturers.

Isis hit the Google Play store in October, but was only available only in select markets. T-Mobile, Verizon, and AT&T customers in Austin and Salt Lake City took the app for a ride on a handful of devices, including the Galaxy S III, Galaxy S II, Galaxy Note II, and HTC One X.

Support for iOS, Windows Phone 8, and BlackBerry 10 is expected to be introduced later this year.

"Over the past nine months, we have proven the power of an open platform, creating an ecosystem of literally hundreds of partners dedicated to making mobile commerce a reality," Isis CEO Michael Abbott said in a statement.

During the trial, the virtual wallet app was used more than 10 times per month at locations like quick-service restaurants, coffee shops, gas stations, and convenience and grocery stores. Mobile payment options also quadrupled to more than 4,000 locations in Austin and Salt Lake City.

A number of big-name retailers, including Coca-Cola and Jamba Juice, participated in the mobile experiment.

"Jamba Juice harnessed the power of mobile commerce by introducing offers to the Isis Mobile Wallet in Austin and Salt Lake City," CEO James White said in a statement.

The program was so successful in driving foot traffic and snagging first-time customers, he said, that the chain is making plans to expand nationally with Isis "so that all our franchises can enjoy the benefits we have seen in our pilot markets."

Utilizing smartphone-based NFC, Isis allows customers to make payments without ever touching their physical wallet. The new system will compete with Google Wallet and PayPal Here, as well as mobile payment options from companies like Square.

The Isis application does not yet have a specific launch date.

Check out how the Isis Mobile Wallet works in the company's video below.

About Our Expert

Stephanie Mlot

Stephanie Mlot

Contributor

My Experience

  • B.A. in Journalism & Public Relations with minor in Communications Media from Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP)
  • Reporter at The Frederick News-Post (2008-2012)
  • Reporter for PCMag and Geek.com (RIP) (2012-present)

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