University Launches Mobile-Payment Program for Nearby Merchants

Cincinnati University of Cincinnati students can now use their cell phones to pay for items sold by merchants on the UC campus and in the surrounding Short Vine, Uptown and Ludlow Clifton business districts, thanks to a new program developed by the university in partnership with Cincinnati Bell.

The partnership between UC and Cincinnati Bell, a regional wireless network provider, launched in November 2007, is one of the first campus-wide communications programs in the nation that offers students and faculty fully networked wireless connectivity.

According to the participants, the program powered by Mocapay and Cincinnati Bell and sponsored by Kroger, allows students to pay for goods and services with their mobile phone on and around the UC campus at dozens of local retailers. In addition, the Queen City Centre and University Plaza Kroger locations will begin accepting mobile payments in early 2008.