Snapper and 2degrees launch mobile payments

Snapper and 2degrees launch mobile payments in New Zealand.

Wellington, New Zealand - Thursday 3 May 2012

New Zealand-based contactless payments company Snapper, today announces in Wellington the launch of Snapper Mobile allowing customers to pay for everyday items, check their balance and top up on-the-go - all from the convenience of their smartphone.

A little more magic.

Miki Szikszai, Snapper CEO says, "Snapper is the magic way to pay for everyday things, including bus fares, taxis, coffee and food. For the first time, New Zealanders can pay for everyday things with their mobile phone. This is truly ground breaking."

The Snapper Mobile app works on Android smartphones with NFC and can be downloaded from Google Play.

A great Kiwi partnership.

"Snapper has partnered with NZ's most innovative mobile phone company - 2degrees mobile - to bring the first truly mobile wallet to Kiwis. Snapper and 2degrees are a perfect fit when it comes to our values and the way we strive to make things easier and better for customers."

Szikszai continues, "We knew we had to make payments better with this product. 2degrees committed to the same outcome right from the start."

2degrees CEO, Eric Hertz, says “Touch2Pay will make payment faster and easier for people on the go. We have been working non-stop to ensure we are first to market with this new technology, which marks the future role of mobile in our day-to-day lives.”

Not just a first for New Zealanders.

Mr Szikszai continues, “Customers have increasingly been asking us for a mobile solution. What Snapper customers now have access to is something quite special. The only significant commercial deployments of everyday retail payments - including public transport solutions - on a mobile phone have been in places like South Korea and Japan. This is not only a first for New Zealand, we haven’t seen anything like this launched with this scale in the Western world.”

Free Weekends.

“We've also put together a special introductory offer that customers are sure to enjoy. For customers that connect a Touch2Pay handset with Snapper Mobile before 31 July, they'll receive 1GB of free mobile broadband zone data and free weekend travel of GO Wellington and Valley Flyers bus services, until the end of 2012, “ Szikszai said.

About Snapper.

Snapper has created a brand new payment category in New Zealand, replacing cash with instant everyday payments using contactless smart media. Snapper and 2degrees have launched Touch2Pay with Snapper Mobile, that lets customers pay for everyday items with their mobile.

Over 370,000 Snappers have been issued, generating over 100 million transactions across over 1000 buses, 3000 taxis, and over 500 retailers in New Zealand.
Snapper offers customers integrated ticketing and instant everyday payments. The Snapper system in Wellington also provides valuable journey data that can be used to plan better transport services for passengers.

Snapper Services Limited was formed in 2006 and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Infratil Limited.

Snapper launched in 2008, has offices in Wellington and Auckland, New Zealand, and employs 25 people.

About 2degrees.

Launched in August 2009, 2degrees Mobile has significantly lowered the cost of making mobile phone calls and texts for Kiwis.

The company has committed over $350 million to building New Zealand’s third mobile phone network. Company shareholders include US-based mobile communications specialists, Trilogy International Partners, as well as Hautaki Trust and Communication Venture Partners.

The combined shareholders bring a wealth of international experience and knowledge which is of huge benefit to New Zealand mobile users.

Ends

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