Isis, the carrier-led mobile payment play from Verizon, AT&Tand T-Mobile, missed its summer launch and had been put on hold with no launch date announced. But a new internal document obtained by Android Central indicates the NFC (near field communication)-based payment system is set to go live on Oct. 22 in two pilot cities: Austin, Tex. and Salt Lake City.
It’s unclear how current the document is and whether or not more delays will keep Isis from launching. An Isis representative told me today that no launch date has been announced and wouldn’t comment on the internal document. As we’ve mentioned before, Isis has been content to go slow so there could still be more delays ahead.
The document indicates that users will be get $ 10 of free cash to try out the Isis app. And if they opt in to an automatic reload feature, which will add funds from a Visa or MasterCard debit or credit card or from a Green Dot Moneypak, they’ll get another $ 15 in bonus cash. I believe this is the first time we’re hearing that Green Dot, a provider of retailer pre-paid cards, is a partner with Isis. There’s no mention of which devices will be supported at launch.
It’s unclear what is holding up the Isis launch though Mobile Payments Today quoted some sources that said the distribution of SIM chips necessary for transactions is one of the reasons for the delay. Employee training may also be slowing things down.
