Coca-Cola Vending Machine Implements Payment via Mobile Phones

VeriSign announced a deal to enable purchases at Coca-Cola vending machines via mobile phones in Austria. VeriSign developed the technical interface between Coca-Cola machines, cellular operators and the payment system. Now, over two million mobilkom austria and ONE wireless customers have access to the mobile payment function at vending machines across Austria.

Here is the official news from VeriSign:

Nov 8, 2006. VeriSign, Inc. (Nasdaq: VRSN), the leading provider of intelligent infrastructure for the networked world, today announced a deal to enable purchases at Coca-Cola vending machines via mobile phones in Austria.  Now, over two million mobilkom austria and ONE wireless customers have access to the mobile payment function at vending machines across Austria.

“As consumers are growing increasingly dependent upon mobile devices, mobilkom austria and ONE recognized an opportunity to provide compelling services that make everyday activities like buying a soda from a vending machine even more convenient,” said Jeff Treuhaft, senior vice president, Digital Content Services, VeriSign.  “We look forward to extending this cutting-edge mobile service and added functionality to wireless users around the world.”

Making purchases by mobile phone is becoming increasingly popular around the world.  According to the Yankee Group’s August 2006 report titled, "Mobile Phones Transform into Mobile Payment Devices," the global revenue for off-deck mobile payment transactions will rise dramatically during the next 5 years, increasing by more than 100% from 2005 to 2009, while the user base also expands from 65.5 million to 178.8 million during the same period.  Paying via mobile phone has already achieved some success in Europe and Asia, and the Yankee Group expects the trend to continue as mobile devices become more powerful and consumers use electronic payments for more transactions.

VeriSign developed the technical interface between Coca-Cola machines, cellular operators and the payment system for the more than 100 beverage vending machines around Austria enabled for mobile payment.  Developed in Austria, this solution can also be used for vending machines around the world. 

About VeriSign 
VeriSign, Inc. (Nasdaq: VRSN), operates intelligent infrastructure services that enable and protect billions of interactions every day across the world’s voice and data networks. Additional news and information about the company is available at www.verisign.com.

VeriSign is represented in Austria by 3united mobile solutions AG (www.3united.com), a subsidiary of VeriSign Inc. 3united is a leading provider of premium text messaging, m-commerce and cellular content solutions. Network operators, media companies, consumer brand companies and community portals have used 3united services since the company was founded in 1999. Through more than 50 network partners, 3united reaches about 400 million cellular customers around the world. 3united services are successful particularly in the rapidly expanding markets of Eastern Europe, in the Middle East and in the United States.

Since the acquisition in February 2006, 3united has operated as a subsidiary of VeriSign, Inc., with clients of both VeriSign and 3united benefiting from a broader product range and direct access to new services. Following integration, 3united will begin operating solely under the VeriSign brand on January 1, 2007.