London’s taxis are getting a new payment system that will be up and running in time for the 2012 Olympics. It incorporates a new card payment technology and media system, secure connectivity being provided across mobile network provided by Wireless Logic and Vodafone (News - Alert).

The secure electronic payments technology comes from VeriFone. Their payment solutions are deployed in major retailers in the UK and across the globe. Now arriving on the streets of London, licensed taxis are currently being fitted out with a system that allows passengers to pay securely by card, and at the same time, employ a passenger information monitor (PIM) that will broadcast an array of media content and news.

VeriFone wanted to employ state-of-the-art mobile connectivity in order to ensure secure, rapid data transfer with exceptional resilience. To achieve this, they looked to a number of providers to satisfy key requirements, which included a Fixed IP address for SIM, a fully managed subnet and VPNs, plus an SLA that would guarantee uptime and service support.

After shopping around, Wireless Logic and their preferred network partner Vodafone were appointed. The PIM and payment units are now being fitted to London’s taxis. Each system will take secure payments via a card. 

Jon Wheeler, program manager for VeriFone Software Solutions and Services said, “Partnering with Wireless Logic has seen the value-added services become intrinsic to the success of the deal. We are particularly pleased with the SIM provisioning system where we can control the provisioning of new SIMs at point of installation. And Wireless Logic’s NETflow gives us a real-time view of data usage on individual SIMs. This is critically important when working with such high levels of data movement. Monitoring means that we can make sure costs are firmly controlled.”

Philip Cole, sales and marketing director for Wireless Logic said, “The Fixed IP and subnet VPNs are giving VeriFone the highest levels of secure data passage for payment. Our data center is wired directly to VeriFone with the highest security protocol inherent across the entire system. However, mobile data is not just about payment. The VeriFone Digital Network will be able to broadcast news and content directly to each passenger. Each taxi will receive frequent daily content updates, with the on-board management system pushing the content to the PIM.”

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