St. Petersburg: you can already put the phone to the turnstile

On Friday, the 18th, a project came out of beta that allows you to pay for travel using a contactless cell phone payment using NFC technology.

What is this standard?

NFC (Near Field Communication) - a wireless high-frequency communication technology that allows for secure data exchange between devices located at a distance of about 10 centimeters). More is in the topic about testing .
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Can I try new tickets if the phone does not support NFC?

Yes, you can install a special NFC module under the cover of your mobile phone. The cost of the NFC module is 125 rubles, the starting balance of the module is 5 trips of 25 rubles each. The subscription fee and the fee for connecting the Mobile Travel service is not charged.

How is the module installed?

It is inserted inside the case, it is flat. Contacts - from the SIM contact area. SIM card replacement is not required.

What's next?

The “Passage” SIM menu is automatically installed on the mobile phone, which allows you to purchase the required number of trips through the phone menu, as well as check the number of tickets purchased earlier and their usage period. The cost of travel is deducted from the balance of the phone in real time.

How to use the module?

You just need to attach the mobile phone to the reader on the turnstile. In the process of implementing the Mobile Passage service, the existing infrastructure and a limited number of phone models will be used. You can order a ticket without contacting the ticket office of the city from the balance of the phone through a special mobile application. The service is available to subscribers - individuals with tariff plans of prepaid and postpaid billing system.

Who did this?

VimpelCom OJSC (“Beeline”) together with the Committee on Transport of the Government of St. Petersburg, the RURU payment system and Ambik Tek SPb LLC.

Where are the details?

Here: www.nfc.beeline.ru

It's safe?

Yes. In terms of security, this is how to wind a regular ticket card with tape to the phone: no data except trips go outside. The module, in fact, emulates a regular travel card (and, by the way, it therefore works even when trips have already been bought and the phone battery has sat down). Other security details are in the topic and discussion. In short, the level of protection is comparable to the level of protection of plastic cards with a chip.

Can I come to Petersburg and test?

Yes, any Beeline subscriber (including with a SIM card from another region) can purchase such a module and start using it. Replacing the SIM card is not needed.

^{Photos - Yevgeny Kozlov}