Bringing rapid, scalable mobile ticketing for iOS and Android to the global marketplace

On 29 March 2022, Snowball Technology partnered with Intelligent Transport to host a webinar on ‘How Snowball is bringing rapid, scalable mobile ticketing for iOS and Android to the global marketplace’. Professionals from public transport operators, authorities and agencies around the world tuned in to learn more about Snowball’s secure, near-field communication virtual ticketing solutions.

Following the webinar, Intelligent Transport sat down with Snowball’s Ciaran Fisher, CEO, and Bob Jiang, President, to find out the answers to three of the most popular questions asked by those in the audience:

Why is NFC winning over QR for transit ticketing in China? 

QR payment is popular in China, but near-field communication (NFC) has become the most popular method for transactions when it comes to transit. The simple reason why is because NFC offers a better consumer experience: with NFC, there is no connectivity dependency. Passengers can tap and go without unlocking their phones or taking the time to open a QR app. NFC mobile ticketing can also provide higher security, as well as continued functionality even when a device is out of battery. These conveniences make NFC more attractive than QR for commuters in China. 

What steps does a PTA need to take to launch mobile ticketing with Snowball? 

Snowball can help public transit agencies (PTAs) to launch mobile ticketing in three to six months. First, we align the requirement by reviewing the transit agency’s current situation and goals. We then adapt our OnBoard™ platform to the PTA’s specifications and integrate the OnBoard™ SDK into the PTA’s app. Next, Snowball conducts thorough lab and field testing to ensure that the ticketing works smoothly, and we will correct any bugs at this time. The final two steps are a pilot and launch.

What changes to infrastructure or the ‘back-end’ are necessary to implement Snowball’s ticketing solution? 

In most cases, no changes to the infrastructure or the back-end are necessary. This means that we do not need to update the back-office or readers. However, each case is different, and whether changes are necessary depends on the transit agency’s existing system and requirements. Typically, we work with the transit agency to examine the benefits and disadvantages of any potential infrastructure upgrade requirements.