Sprint Mobile Broadband and Sprint Data Link are ensuring secure credit card transactions in NYC taxis.

A product developed by Sprint and VeriFone Transportation Systems has enabled credit card payments, GPS-based location and mapping, weather updates, national and New York City entertainment and city news in 6,600 NYC taxis.

"This initiative was sparked by the requirement of Mayor Bloomberg that all NYC taxis be equipped with an electronic payment solution," said Stephanie Greenwood, spokeswoman for Sprint, Overland Park, KS.

"For Sprint, this type of solution clearly meets an important objective of using our technology to allow users to quickly and easily make transactions and obtain the information they need when and where they need it," she said.

The real-time integrated payment and information system features a Passenger Information Monitor with a 10.4-inch touch screen that allows passengers to review the fare, add a tip and pay by swiping a credit card through a reader or using "tap and go" contactless payment.

The system includes programming from several providers, including WABC-TV's local news, AccuWeather, Reuters Business News, People.com, Disney Broadway, Zagat Survey and PMbuzz.com, a source of information on NYC night life.

It also features a GPS component that helps passengers recover items accidentally left in cabs.

"The solution has been very well received by both taxi owners and operators and end customers, and we plan to take the solution to additional markets," Ms. Greenwood said. "This is Sprint's first collaboration with VeriFone.

"We have been very pleased with the success and we look forward to exploring future initiatives with them," she said.

Sprint and VeriFone plan to deliver a similar product to taxis in Philadelphia, Chicago and Las Vegas.

Sprint and VeriFone are currently exploring marketing tactics, but have not announced anything specific.

Today, DCS manages the connection card inventory, handles card modifications and software updates and assists VeriFone and Sprint with installation and activation in taxis.

Sprint claims that its Mobile Broadband Network -- including data roaming -- reaches more than 252 million people, 16,914 cities and 1,612 airports.

VeriFone provides merchant-operated, consumer-facing and self-service payment systems for the financial, retail, hospitality, petroleum, government and healthcare vertical markets.

VeriFone's products are designed to meet the needs of merchants, processors and acquirers in developed and emerging economies worldwide.

Sprint Nextel operates two wireless networks serving nearly 52 million customers at the end of the second quarter 2008.

A key contributor to this product is Sprint business solutions partner Direct Communication Solutions Inc., which worked with VeriFone and Sprint to creatively alter the Mobile Broadband connection card to fit and operate securely with custom software in the modified touch screen monitor.

"The strategy is simple," said Robert Senatore, president of Direct Communication Solutions. "Verifone is known for their strength in the POS Hardware Vertical and Sprint brings the fastest mobile broadband network to best deliver these types of mobile data applications.

"Together we were able to create a service solution for millions of people to use and enjoy," he said.