LIVE FROM THE GSMA’S NFC & MOBILE MONEY SUMMIT, NEW YORK: Kai Johnson (pictured), chief architect at Isis, claimed the benefits of its mobile wallet have been proven through its trials in two cities and said the service will be launched commercially “in just a few weeks.”

The high-profile joint venture between Verizon Wireless, AT&T and T-Mobile USA enables subscribers to make payments, collect loyalty points and redeem coupons using NFC-based smartphones at the point-of-sale.

Johnson said the trials that started in Salt Lake City, Utah, and Austin, Texas, in October 2012 have shown the benefits of the mobile wallet technology and that the industry is ready for NFC services.

Trial data showed that, on average, Isis users tap their device to pay for goods 10 times per month, with two-thirds of users opting to receive offers and messages from brands.

Those that signed up for loyalty schemes tapped their devices twice as often as those that didn’t, showing the ability of Isis to strengthen the relationships of banks and merchants with their customers, according to Johnson.

“Just looking at the top line numbers you can see we’re providing a service that consumers will use and that they engage on a level that is deeper than payments,” he said.

The Isis chief architect also touted the work Isis has done with the supply chain and distribution channels to get NFC-enabled phones and terminals shipped.

“We’ve proven that it’s possible to align partners and create a scalable ecosystem from payment networks, to banks, to terminal providers to handset manufacturers,” Johnson said.

Isis previously indicated a nationwide rollout of the mobile wallet would take place in 2013. However, the service still hasn’t launched commercially, while one of its payment partners, Capital One, recently dropped out of the trials.

Johnson said more devices will be added to the 40 that already support Isis, while consumers will be able to use the mobile wallet in retail stores of the three joint venture members in a few weeks.

In addition, Isis will soon be pre-loaded onto devices, which the venture estimates will result in 30 million Isis-capable phones being in circulation by the end of 2014.