Isis confirmed last week that its Mobile Wallet service would be going live on October 22, and now that the calendar shows that that date has arrived, Isis has announced that its mobile payment service is now available. As expected, Isis today launched in both Austin, Texas, and Salt Lake City, Utah. The service is open to customers on AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon, and interested subscribers can head to a carrier store to choose an Isis-ready handset and receive a secure element SIM card. ISIS says that there are currently 9 handsets that are compatible with its service, and another 11 are expected before the end of 2012. Some of the Isis-ready phones currently available are the Samsung Galaxy S II and S III on T-Mobile and the HTC DROID Incredible 4G LTE on Verizon.
As for the service itself, Isis users can load an eligible American Express, Capital One or Chase credit card into their Mobile Wallet, or they can choose to load up an Isis Cash card. Examples of businesses in Austin and Salt Lake City that accept Isis payments include Foot Locker, 7 Eleven, McDonald's and Rite Aid. The ISIS Mobile Wallet app is available for download in the Google Play store.
Isis certainly isn't the first mobile payment service to launch to the public, as Google Wallet launched in May 2011. However, Google's service has had somewhat limited availability since then, arriving on a handful of Sprint phones and Google Nexus devices. Isis is a service that customers on the other three major U.S. carriers can try, provided they've got one of the compatible phones, but unfortunately it's only currently available to AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon customers in two markets. Here's to hoping that we see more added soon. Until then, you can find Isis's official announcement of today's news below.
Isis™ Launches in Austin and Salt Lake City; As Many as 20 Isis Ready™ Handsets to Be Available by Year End
Launch Represents Milestone for Mobile Commerce Industry
AUSTIN, Texas & SALT LAKE CITY--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Isis™, the mobile commerce joint venture created by AT&T Mobility, T-Mobile USA and Verizon Wireless, today announced the availability of the Isis Mobile Wallet™ in Austin and Salt Lake City. Starting today, consumers can visit their AT&T, T-Mobile or Verizon retail location and select from nine Isis Ready™ handsets, with an expected 11 additional handsets coming to market by year end.
“The launch of the Isis Mobile Wallet in Austin and Salt Lake City represents a milestone for both Isis and the mobile commerce industry”
“The launch of the Isis Mobile Wallet in Austin and Salt Lake City represents a milestone for both Isis and the mobile commerce industry,” said Ryan Hughes, chief marketing officer, Isis. “With as many as 20 Isis Ready handsets headed to market by year end, we are experiencing an unprecedented level of support for NFC and consumer choice.”
How to Get Started With the Isis Mobile Wallet on October 22:
Visit an AT&T Mobility, T-Mobile USA or Verizon Wireless retail store in Austin or Salt Lake City to receive a secure element SIM and ensure your handset model is Isis Ready
Download the Isis Mobile Wallet application from Google Play
Load an eligible American Express, Capital One or Chase credit card into the Isis Mobile Wallet or get started with the Isis Cash™ card that comes in every Wallet.
Get out and get tapping at any of the hundreds of locations across Austin and Salt Lake City where contactless payments are accepted, a full list of which can be found at www.paywithisis.com.
“The launch of the Isis Mobile Wallet is an important step toward accelerating mobile payments in the United States and maximizing convenience for consumers,” said Bill Gajda, head of mobile product, Visa Inc. “Isis’ open approach directly aligns with Visa’s strategy of enabling consumers to make mobile payments with whatever device they choose using the trusted accounts they already have.”
“MasterCard has been working with industry partners like Isis to turn mobile phones into secure payment devices and create better shopping experiences for both consumers and merchants,” said Mung Ki Woo, group executive, mobile, MasterCard Worldwide. “The use of NFC technology is a path to an improved consumer experience, and the launch of the Isis Mobile Wallet – combined with the growing number of NFC-enabled handsets – will help make mobile commerce a reality for millions of consumers.”
“Today’s launch of the Isis Mobile Wallet is a significant achievement in terms of enabling consumer adoption of mobile payments,” said Suzan Kereere, senior vice president and general manager, American Express, Global Network Business. “Mobile commerce holds the promise of dramatically enhancing consumers’ shopping experience, and American Express’ first priority as a network is to provide choice and flexibility for all industry participants as we work together to influence the speed and growth of mobile NFC payments in the U.S.”
For more information on specific Isis Ready handsets, please visit an AT&T Mobility, T-Mobile USA or Verizon Wireless retail location in Austin or Salt Lake City.
About Isis
The joint venture is between AT&T Mobility LLC, T-Mobile USA and Verizon Wireless and is based in New York City. The venture is chartered with building Isis™, a national mobile commerce venture that will fundamentally transform how people shop, pay and save. The Isis™ mobile commerce network will be available to all merchants, banks, payment networks and mobile carriers. ISIS is a trademark of JVL Ventures, LLC in the U.S. and/or other countries. Other logos, product and company names mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.
@PayWithIsis
Cautionary Language Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
Information set forth in this press release contains financial estimates and other forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties, and actual results might differ materially. The words "anticipate," "believe," "expect," "may," "plan," "should" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, those set forth in the discussions of factors that may affect future results contained in Securities and Exchange Commission filings of AT&T, Deutsche Telekom AG (T-Mobile USA is the U.S. wireless arm of Deutsche Telekom AG), and Verizon Communications (of which Verizon Wireless is a subsidiary). AT&T, T-Mobile USA, and Verizon disclaim any obligation to update and revise statements contained in this news release based on new information or otherwise.
