Cheyenne Suarez

Beep card removes stored value updaters; users without NFC smartphones cry foul

Article (news)

Arthur Fuentes

ABS-CBN News

<div> </div>MANILA (UPDATE) -- Beep card said it has removed its stored value updater (SVU) and express renewal devices (ERDs) from rail stations because these rely on outdated 3G technology.SVUs are used to retrieve e-loads purchased through e-wallets and partner banks, whereas ERDs extend the validity of stored value cards by one year.The government <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2025/9/19/dict-phase-out-of-3g-networks-by-ph-telcos-expected-by-end-of-september-2244" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">phased out 3G networks</a> at the end of 2025, including 3G SIM cards saying these older technologies were susceptible to exploitation and were often used in fraud, phishing schemes, and even espionage.Beep card said passengers can instead use the beep mobile app to check their card balance and retrieve load transactions by tapping their beep card on their NFC-enabled smartphone.&quot;Alternatively, Ticket Vending Machines (TVMs and Point of Sale (POS) tellers in all stations remain available for all transactions,&quot; the company posted on its official Facebook page.The Department of Transportation also reiterated that beep card users can still load their cards viua TVMs or over the counter, with tellers.&quot;Ang tinanggal lang temporarily ay yung maliliit na machines na ginagamit for quick load fetching,&quot; the DOTr said.The DOTr said AF plans to return the SVU and ERD machines with updated 5G technology &quot;within&quot; the first quarter.Several beep card users, meanwhile, commented on the company&#x27;s Facebook post that the removal of the SVUs and ERDs was an inconvenience, and that the company should have posted an advisory about the impending removal of these machines, or replaced the machines with new ones that didn&#x27;t rely on 3G. The Department of Information and Communications Technology had advised as early as September last year about the phaseout of 3G networks.Some beep card users also protested that not everyone has an NFC-enabled smartphone, as this feature is usually absent from budget and entry-level phones. NFC, or near field communication chips, are usually found in midrange and premium phones.Beep card is operated by the AF Consortium, which is a collaboration between the Ayala Group and the First Pacific Group.  The card is used in the Automated Fare Collection System across all 3 lines-- LRT Lines 1 &amp; 2 and MRT 3.

Some beep card users noted that not everyone has an NFC-enabled smartphone, as this feature is usually absent from budget and entry-level phones.

Some beep card users noted that not everyone has an NFC-enabled smartphone, as this feature is usually absent from budget and entry-level phones.