Gemalto enables motorists in Marseille to pay for the actual time spent in parking bays via SMS

Gemalto is deploying an innovative Netsize Operator Billing platform that enables motorists in Marseille, France’s second largest city, to pay precisely for time spent in a parking bay, simply by sending an SMS when they enter and another one when they leave it.

Gemalto was selected by IEM1 to provide the payment element of their TIMO2 software solution for SAGS Marseille, the body delegated to manage Marseille’s on-street car parking. Gemalto leverages its skills in digital security and mobile telephony to manage securely the SMS flow, and allow to directly debit time-based payments from customers’ mobile phone bills.

The new cashless payment service for parking is available from any type of mobile phone, without having to pre-register or download an app. Motorists text their vehicle number plate to a short code number as soon as they park. When they leave, the message ”END” is sent to the same number. Traffic wardens in the city are equipped with PDAs that enable them to verify instantly that payment has been made by entering a vehicle’s registration number into the handset.

The Gemalto Netsize platform opens the gateway to a potential market of two billion consumers and three billion devices now able to perform such transactions, via 160 connected mobile networks in over 50 different countries.

“Gemalto has in-depth expertise and experience across all the relevant areas: SMS payments, operator billing and real-time services,” said Philippe Menoud, Director of IEM. “We also plan to expand this solution across our international markets, so Gemalto’s global reach will provide a perfect platform for these ambitious goals.”

“Once again SMS is proving its ability to reach the broadest possible audience and deliver a service in line with a mobile-centered world,” added Benoit Bole, Senior Vice President of Netsize at Gemalto. “TIMO* spells an end to lost tickets, delays at barriers, the struggle to find the right change and manage expired meters. Providers enjoy a seamless, electronic sales channel that avoids the need to manage and maintain vulnerable terminals and infrastructure.”