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Published on December 4, 2007

In the near future, mobile-phone users in Thailand will not only use their phones for calls, Internet access and entertainment, but those who are customers of True Move and use a radio frequency identification (RFID) SIM will be able to purchase goods and services with their phone.

Adhiruth Thothaveesansuk, managing director of True Corporation, said the company had developed the first RFID SIM, a SIM card bundled with RFID, so the mobile handset can do business transactions, pay for services and purchase goods at shops which are the firm's partners.

"This is the first time in the world that mobile-users have been able to pay for services and goods via their phones. The new system will also bring confidence and security for mobile users," said Adhiruth.

He said the traditional way that customers paid for goods and services by cash or credit card would be replaced by the use of the mobile phone to pay the charges. The cashier just holds the customer's phone near a contactless RFID reader. Mobile users are also able to check their last transaction via their phone.

He said the contactless RFID technology came with high security. It will be convenient for mobile users who forget to bring cash or credit cards. 

However, True mobile-users who want to pay for services and purchase products through their phone need to eventually use cash or credit card at True's partners which have an RFID reader near their cashier. "I think business transactions on mobile phones using contactless technology will become a trend since users can also access entertainment services and do business via mobile handsets," he said.

 The Nation