AIS Partners with TNS to Strengthen ATM and Retail Network Offer

Thailand’s leading mobile operator, Advanced Info Service (AIS), is partnering with Transaction Network Services (TNS) to enhance its product portfolio to address the specific PCI DSS needs of its merchant customers.

The new ATM and retail store communications solution, called PCI DSS Certified Hybrid MPLS, is a fully managed service which uses AIS’ mobile 3G and fixed MPLS network, combined with TNSLink. In addition to connectivity to Thailand’s banks, AIS merchant customers will be able to utilise the TNSLink solution to reach more than 400 payments-specific endpoints, including the world’s major card schemes, banks, acquirers, processors and value added financial service suppliers, which are connected to TNS’ worldwide network.

Weerachai Patcharopartwong, Senior Vice President Corporate Marketing and Sales at AIS said: “AIS’ vision is to create a digital service for customers and Thai people which helps them do more and live better, as well as creates new opportunities for corporate customers to use digital technology to support business operations.

“We’re delighted to be partnering with TNS and offering its specialised TNSLink product portfolio to our customer base across Thailand. TNS’ long-standing PCI DSS credentials, feature-rich solution and reliable technology make it the premier payments solutions provider in Thailand and a natural choice for our business.

“This agreement with TNS makes AIS the first and only mobile operator in Thailand to offer a solution providing a communication network with high standard PCI DSS system support and this demonstrates our determination to enhance customer data protection.”

TNSLink is a fully managed, PCI DSS compliant solution that allows customer to reduce capital outlay, lower operating costs and increase revenue for ATMs and point-of-sale (POS) terminals. A near real-time web reporting portal, TNSOnline, ensures ATM and POS systems operate with maximum uptime. In March, TNS announced it had launched 4G LTE network support for its TNSLink suite of solutions.

Lisa Shipley, Executive Vice President and Managing Director of TNS’ Payment Network Solutions, said: “Our agreement with AIS is an excellent example of how we partner with local market leaders, such as AIS, to empower their bank and retail customers with the highest level of security for ATM and branch network access. We look forward to helping AIS grow its business using its superior 3G coverage across Thailand.”