Consumers in Singapore first in Asia to experience convenience and security of Android Pay
SINGAPORE, 28 June 2016 – Starting today, MasterCard cardholders and Android device owners in Singapore will have even more ways to make mobile payments and purchases. Singapore is the first market in Asia to go live with Android Pay, following Android Pay’s successful launch in the United States in September 2015 and in the United Kingdom in May 2016. DBS/POSB, OCBC and Standard Chartered will be the first banks to support Android Pay in Singapore, with UOB coming soon. 
Android Pay enables MasterCard credit and debit cardholders to use their eligible Android smartphones for everyday purchases in-store and within Android apps.
Owners of Android devices, including smartphone and tablets, running on Android 4.4+ or newer can begin using Android Pay for contactless and in-app payments. Once a MasterCard cardholder downloads the app and sets up an account, all they have to do is add their MasterCard credit and debit cards into the payment app and they are ready to shop simply, safely and securely with Android Pay. To pay in store, consumers wake their smartphone, hold it near a payment terminal at any location that accepts contactless payments, and their transaction is completed.
In setting up a device for Android Pay, MasterCard generates a digital “token” that is associated with that device and stored on a secure server. There is a separate token assigned to each of the consumer’s devices, which means that not only is the token number different from the ‘real’ card number but it is also prevented from transacting via any other device. When the consumer uses their mobile device in a transaction, it is the token and not the real card number that is provided to the shop. For consumers and retailers alike, this ensures that every purchase made with a MasterCard using Android Pay offers all the benefits and guarantees of a transaction with the physical MasterCard card.
Android Pay users can start making mobile payments at more than 30,000 contactless payments readers in Singapore, be it shopping for groceries at Fairprice and Cold Storage supermarkets, catching a movie at Shaw theatres or grabbing a cup of coffee at Starbucks.
“The central role smartphones play in the fast-paced digital lifestyles of the Singapore consumer has driven new forms of mobile payment technology, such as Android Pay. The availability of Android Pay will allow MasterCard cardholders to make quick, easy and secure transactions via their smartphones, both in-store and in-app to better serve the needs of tech-savvy, on-the-go consumers,” said Deborah Heng, group head and general manager, MasterCard Singapore.
As a participant in the MasterCard Digital Enablement Express programme, Google has streamlined the onboarding process to engage with all participating MasterCard issuers around the globe, accelerating consumer access to Android Pay, as it becomes available in different markets.
“Singaporeans love mobile and are some of the fastest adopters of new technology in the world. It’s wonderful to see wide support in Singapore from the banks and the industry for Android Pay, enabling shoppers to use Android smartphones as a way to buy things when they’re on-the-go,” said Joanna Flint, Country Director, Google Singapore.
MasterCard contactless payments are accepted in 77 countries and more than five million merchant locations worldwide. To find a listing of contactless-enabled merchant locations, download the MasterCard Nearby app or go to www.mastercard.com/contactless.
About MasterCard
MasterCard (NYSE: MA), http://www.mastercard.com, is a technology company in the global payments industry. We operate the world’s fastest payments processing network, connecting consumers, financial institutions, merchants, governments and businesses in more than 210 countries and territories. MasterCard products and solutions make everyday commerce activities – such as shopping, traveling, running a business and managing finances – easier, more secure and more efficient for everyone. Follow us on Twitter @MasterCardNews, join the discussion on the Beyond the Transaction Blog and subscribe for the latest news on the Engagement Bureau.
Media Contacts
Venture Liang, MasterCard, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , +65 6390 5973, +65 8288 6190
Celina Lim, Weber Shandwick, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , +65 6825 8075, +65 9099 7618