Fixed Mobile Convergence

mBlox, a mobile transaction network that makes it simple for its clients to deal with the commercial and technical aspects of mobile billing and message transmission, has announced a new rail ticketing mobile app in the UK in collaboration with Raileasy and Concept Data Technologies or ‘CDT (News - Alert).’

The application helps users in reviewing timetables and buying tickets via registered credit cards right from their mobile phones, and has been made available for download for a number of mobile platforms such as Android (News - Alert), iPhone, BlackBerry, Symbian and Windows Mobile and older devices as well. Users can also download it for free through the Raileasy website. Raileasy has deployed mBlox’s (News - Alert) Sender-Pays Data service for the application, which eliminates the data charges that vary depending on each consumer’s data plan and cuts down the data costs for travelers as they pay just the price of the ticket without paying any data download charges.

“We are already seeing 16 percent of all rail users purchasing via online and mobile channels, and this is a trend we expect to see increase further throughout 2011, particularly as end-users become more confident regarding the security of m-commerce,” George Sikking, managing director at Raileasy. “The Raileasy app was designed with the user in mind. The result is an easy to use and secure app with comprehensive functionality that lets traveler buy tickets wherever they have a mobile signal.”

“Consumers are becoming more accustomed to the idea of purchasing goods and services using their mobile device,” said Andrew Dark, chief executive officer at mBox. “The Sender-Pays Data service means that they can enjoy the convenience of mobile commerce without additional data charges, in this case ensuring they only pay for the ticket being purchased without any extra costs.”

The new Raileasy app by mBlox also ensures security while purchasing tickets online, as it adds a yet another layer of protection by embedding credit card details in the phone, which can be accessed using a Personal Identification Number or ‘PIN’ and card security numbers only.

In August 2010, mBlx won the Juniper Research (News - Alert) Mobile Payments Gold Award 2010 for making an outstanding contribution to the future of the Mobile Payments market. A panel of expert judges granted the awards, based on a number of criteria including product range and innovation; geographic market penetration; evidence of commercial campaigns; partnerships and potential future business development. 

Raja Singh Chaudhary is a contributing editor for TMCnet. To read more of Raja's articles, please visit his columnist page.

Edited by Jennifer Russell