Turkish communications and technology company Turkcell has launched a SIM-based, near field technology (NFC) road toll payment app for its smartphone T11, in collaboration with Bank Asya.

Turkcell claims it is the first such technology in the industry that allows smartphone users to pay the tolls while crossing bridges and freeway barriers, eliminating the need for plastic transaction cards.

Subscribers with a T11 phone can request a Bank Asya KGS app and upload cash through the company’s mobile wallet application, Cep-T Cüzdan, without having to physically visit a bank or payment point at the toll barriers.

Turkcell chief new technology business officer Cenk Bayrakdar said: "We have taken a revolutionary step, marking yet another global first with Cep T-Cüzdan in the transportation arena. With this application, we not only offer our T11 customers the convenience of contactless transmission when using bridges and toll roads, but also remove the need to carry plastic cards by providing an end-to-end mobile experience that ranges from topping up TRY to applying for a KGS.

The company stated that the Cep-T Cüzdan also allows consumers to carry out ticketing and ID applications, amongst other uses.

Three of Turkey’s banks, Yapi Kredi, Garanti and Akbank, have now completed their integration and made their applications available on Cep-T Cuzdan.

Turkcell covers about 87% of the country’s population through its 3G and 99.07% through its 2G technology supported network.