Toronto – Coca-Cola Bottling Company today announced the installation of MasterCard®PayPass™ payment terminals to more vending machines across Canada. This is the first national activation of such technology in the Canadian beverage vending industry. To date, 400 vending machines located in major cities across Canada have been equipped with MasterCard PayPass technology, with a total of 5,000 machines to be outfitted by 2010.

“At Coca-Cola Bottling Company, we’re always looking for ways to provide consumers with our variety of high quality products in the most convenient way possible,” says Alain Robichaud, Vice President, Operations, Coca-Cola Bottling Company. “MasterCard PayPass offers a value-added solution that delivers a faster and easier purchasing experience while improving our company’s efficiency and effectiveness.”

In addition to providing greater ease and convenience for consumers, this wireless technology enables remote monitoring of vending machine sales and diagnostics.

The PayPasspayment terminals are being installed on the front of Coca-Cola vending machines, next to the cash receptacle. With PayPass, consumers authorize the transactions securely, by simply “tapping” their PayPass enabled MasterCard card against a PayPass point-of-sale terminal. The transaction is confirmed within seconds and the consumer never lets go of their card. No signature is required and traditional magnetic stripe credit cards are also accepted.

“Canadians are early adopters of new payment methods, and we’re always looking for ways to make the payment process easier, more convenient and more secure,” says William Giles, Vice President, Acceptance, MasterCard Canada. “MasterCard PayPass payments are ideal for traditionally cash-dominant environments like vending machines, where a quick tap or swipe of your card eliminates the need to fumble for cash.”

MasterCardPayPass

MasterCard PayPass uses radio frequency technology to securely transmit payment details wirelessly between the PayPass device and the merchant's terminal. The transaction is then processed through the MasterCard network for clearing and settlement. PayPass cards can also be used in the traditional manner anywhere MasterCard is accepted. MasterCard PayPass is ideal for traditional high-volume retail environments where speed is essential. As of 2Q 2008 there are nearly 37 million MasterCard PayPass cards and devices in use at more than 122,000 merchants worldwide. There are a number of PayPass trials and rollouts currently underway in 25 countries, including Australia, Canada, China, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Korea, Lebanon, Malaysia, Mexico, Mongolia, the Philippines, Poland, Russia, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Canadians can currently use PayPass at Rabba Fine Foods, Cineplex Odeon, Tim Hortons, Petro-Canada, Pioneer Petroleums, select Coca-Cola Vending Machines, Loblaw Companies stores across Canada, and beginning later this year, Staples, Sobeys and McDonald's Restaurants will also be introducing PayPass.

MasterCard is a registered trademark and PayPass is a trademark of MasterCard International Incorporated.