Pataki Róbert, Magyar Telekom’s Chief Strategy and Corporate Development Officer explained: „Our T-City program has been functioning successfully for over two years in Szolnok. Its aim is to familiarize Szolnok citizens first with the most advanced technologies and the latest Telekom innovations. NFC technology can be applied in several areas and in the test we are to embark upon now it will render local transport easier and more comfortable in the T-City.”

Telekom’s mobile NFC based test operation was preceded by the implementation in May of the T-City Szolnok City Card, which is a customized intelligent card, with the help of which a set of new community services have become available in Szolnok, among others, in local transport. In late July the City Card program will be expanded and with the help of the NFC enabled mobile phones taking part in the testing tickets and passes can be validated with only one touch on local bus services.

The cards and mobile devices may hold passes and tickets for several services simultaneously that can be purchased at the central ticket offices and, subsequently in the web-shop or through SMS as well. It means that services can be paid for by cash, bank card and, later, through mobile devices. The system automatically sends the e-Invoice of purchases made through SMS or web shops to the email address of registered passengers. The traveller may credit on their mobile phone the pass or ticket purchased through SMS or the web shop at the information and top up points located at ticket offices. The device will also indicate when the pass expires or how many tickets are still available for the passenger. Tickets and passes can be validated on board the buses. Ticket inspectors may check the validity of the travel with the help of a PDA device.

Thanks to continual improvements by Magyar Telekom NFC services will soon become even more convenient and secure. According to plans Szolnok citizens will be able to load on their mobile telephone the bus tickets purchased through SMS and the web shop on board the buses or with the help of mobile communication. Thus they will be able to use community transport means quickly and easily, without the need to stand in the queue.

Further information about the T-City Szolnok CityCard project is available at home pageswww.t-city.huwww.citypass.hu