Cellular NFC service pilot zone at LLC “Aeroexpress”

This pilot project was launched on the 19^th of November 2010. Thanks to the implementation of this unique for Russia project; tickets for EMU “Aeroexpress” can be bought with the help of the cell phone, which has NFC functionality. The NFC service is being introduced as an add-on to the existing automated ticket sales system of LLC “Aeroexpress”.

The process of ticket purchase with the help of a NFC phone takes a few seconds only. The request for buying ticket can be initiated with a “single touch”, bringing the telephone against the NFC tag (1), which is located on the smart-poster. As a result of the communication between the telephone and the tag, the “Aeroexpress Mobile” application is automatically launched and a request for the purchase of ticket is formed. After that, when the passenger confirms the purchase, the ticket gets loaded into the telephone (2). The cost of the ticket is written-off from the passenger’s subscriber account with the cellular service provider.

Fare control is conducted either by the conductor, using a validator or by the system of turnstiles at the station. You can show your ticket without even disconnecting or disrupting any ongoing calls, by just bringing the NFC phone very close to the reader device (3).

Nokia, which is one of the most active players in the NFC device market, became the technical partner for the project.