University of Cincinnati Brings Mobile Payments to Students

CINCINNATI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The University of Cincinnati announced today the launch of a mobile payment program for UC Mobile student clients with merchants on the UC campus and in the surrounding Short Vine, Uptown and Ludlow Clifton business districts.

“We are delighted to be partnering with pillars of our community such as Kroger and Cincinnati Bell – and a new partner in Mocapay – to further differentiate and distinguish the quality of student life and services at the University of Cincinnati.”

The UC Mobile program was developed in partnership with Cincinnati Bell (NYSE:CBB), a company known for providing the region’s best wireless network and for helping lead the industry in enabling custom wireless applications like Mocapay. The partnership between UC and Cincinnati Bell was one of the first campus-wide communications programs in the nation offering students and faculty fully networked wireless connectivity.

“The new mobile payment initiative adds another unique leading-edge application to our UC Mobile program, making the Bearcat phone an even more useful and value-added service for our students and community,” said Fred Siff, UC Vice President and CIO. “We are delighted to be partnering with pillars of our community such as Kroger and Cincinnati Bell – and a new partner in Mocapay – to further differentiate and distinguish the quality of student life and services at the University of Cincinnati.”

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. The service expands UC Mobile’s cutting edge wireless services to students, including on-demand class updates, shuttle schedules and more, all directly on students’ mobile phones.

“As the nation’s premier retail mobile payment solution, we are honored to put UC students and Cincinnati merchants on the forefront of this innovative new technology,” said Mocapay founder and CEO Rod Stambaugh. “Mocapay provides students with a safe, easy alternative to the hassles of credit cards, debit cards, cash and checkbooks.”

The benefits of mobile payment are not limited to students – anyone living or working in the surrounding business districts can sign up for the program now by visiting www.mocapay.com. In addition to the two Kroger locations, there are dozens of businesses in the Uptown area offering the Mocapay payment option with more on the way. UC and Mocapay will promote awareness of the new service among UC students, faculty and staff during winter quarter. Merchants interested in participating in the program can sign up online or work with Mocapay and UC Mobile representatives.

About the University of Cincinnati

The University of Cincinnati offers students a balance of educational excellence and real-world experience.

Since its founding in 1819, UC has been the source of many discoveries creating positive change for society, including

• the first antihistamine,
• co-op education,
• the first electronic organ,
• the Golden Gate Bridge designer and
• the oral polio vaccine.

Each year, this urban, public, research university graduates 5,000 students, adding to more than 200,000 living alumni around the world.

UC is the largest employer in the Cincinnati region, with an economic impact of more than $3 billion.

About UC Mobile

Available to UC students, faculty and staff, UC Mobile powered by Cincinnati Bell offers a state-of-the-art wireless network with university-branded handsets and unified communications tools. With a UC Mobile phone, customers can connect directly to campus public safety; locate UC shuttle routes and estimated arrival times; receive text updates of course changes, class cancellations or announcements; and find contact information for current UC students and faculty members. In addition, UC Mobile provides five-digit dialing to campus phone numbers, integrated campus voicemail and unmatched campus coverage. UC Mobile customers also have access to Cincinnati Bell WiFi hotspots on and off campus. For more information, visit www.uc.edu/ucmobile.

About Mocapay

Mocapay is a mobile payment and marketing company that lets consumers pay for goods and services at the register and online with their mobile phones. Mocapay simplifies the payment process, providing total transaction security. Mocapay saves merchants money vs. credit card transaction fees, while providing consumers with unprecedented value via real-time promotions from their favorite retailers. Based in Boulder, Colorado, Mocapay operates with any of the 230 million mobile phones in the United States. For more information, visit www.mocapay.com.

About Cincinnati Bell

Cincinnati Bell Inc. (NYSE:CBB) is parent to one of the nation's most respected and best performing local exchange and wireless providers with a legacy of unparalleled customer service excellence. With headquarters in Cincinnati, Ohio, Cincinnati Bell provides a wide range of telecommunications products and services to residential and business customers in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana. For more information, visit www.cincinnatibell.com.