The first service for purchasing train tickets via mobile phone is set to debut in Matsuyama city, Japan at the end of August, beating JR East's Mobile Suica to market. Users will also be able to use the system on buses and taxis.

Iyo Tetsudo (JP) announced their "IC Ii-Card and Mobile Ii-Card" IC card system for use on Matsuyama City's train, bus and taxi services on 19 July. In addition to the FeliCA chip-equipped "IC Ii-Card", passengers will also be able to use NTT Docomo i-mode Felica mobile phones with the service. IC card sales will start from 30 July with the service commencing from 23 August.

JR East Japan's "Mobile Suica" has already been announced as a system for public transport usage with a mobile phone. While the "Mobile Suica" system will begin operation from January 2006 with support for NTT Docomo and au mobile phones, the "IC Ii-Card and Mobile Ii-Card" system is the first to actually offer service in Japan.

Iyo Tetsudo trains, buses and Iyotetsu taxis can be used with the system. Supported handsets are Mova P506iC, SO506iC, SH506iC and FOMA F900iC, F901iC, SH901iC, N901iC, F901iS, SH901iS, N901iS, P901iS and D901iS. Charging is accomplished using an i-appli downloadable from the NTT Docomo's i-mode site (Menu List -> Regional Menu -> Shikoku -> Transport/Maps/Travel -> Iyotetsu Navi).

The system will be expanded to carparks and tourist attractions from 2006 but, at the moment, there are no plans to add support for e-money services such as Edy (JP) or Suica (JP). The "IC Ii-Card" will be sold in a commuter pass format from 1 November. The "Mobile Ii-Card" will not be available as a commuter pass and will only be available in full-fare (adult) format.

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http://www.itmedia.co.jp/enterprise/mobile/articles/0507/19/news089.html