NFC service in Singapore is finally set for commercial launch.

WorldWide Tech & Science. Francisco De Jesùs.

NFC service in Singapore is finally set for commercial launch.

A delayed NFC service in Singapore is finally set for commercial launch, says Gemalto, which is leading the consortium licensed to build the system. The company’s announcement talks about an “upcoming” commercial rollout, although no actual date is given.

The country’s regulator Infocomm Development Authority (IDA) mandated commercial launch eight months after licensing the consortium - which includes two banks, a contactless payment provider as well as three mobile operators in addition to Gemalto - at the end of October last year.

Initial services will be retail payments at locations such as retailers, convenience stores, fast food outlets and taxis. The consortium said “some” NFC handsets from Samsung and Sony are certified for use with the new service at launch, according to ZDNet.

In addition to retail payments, the IDA and the consortium are working with Singapore’s Land Transport Authority to enable payments for public transport by early next year following trials at the end of 2012.