NEC issues RFID cards to S'pore customers

SINGAPORE--Communications and IT services provider NEC Solutions today launched a new customer card embedded with a RFID (radio frequency identification) chip for its clients in the island-state.

The card stores customer data such as personal particulars, purchase details, warranty and service records, which can be scanned by card readers installed at the vendor's NECare customer service center in Singapore. Cardholders are also entitled to promotional discounts and other benefits, according to a media statement.

According to David Ng, senior vice president of the business services group at NEC Solutions Asia-Pacific, the company has invested about S$500,000 (US$299,550) for the project in Singapore. Some 10,000 cards are expected to be issued by the first quarter of 2006, he added.

NEC currently does not have plans to issue the card to other customers in the Asia-Pacific region, noted Ng.