The Austin (Texas) American-Statesman is reporting Austin is joining Salt Lake City as a test location for the Isis Network, the NFC mobile payment joint venture between AT&T Inc. Verizon Wireless and T-Mobile USA. According to the story, Isis will be rolling out in Austin in the first half of 2012.

The story in the Statesman quotes Isis CEO Michael Abbot saying Isis is looking at Austin to help the company develop its technology after an evaluation of 35 to 40 cities. Abbot told the Statesman Isis was looking for early technology adopters, "(s)omebody that was willing to change, willing to see the future, willing to take that chance to do it differently." Abbot said in the article that "Austin came right to the top of the list."

The article says Isis officials are already working with local merchants to adopt the payment method.

Isis announced earlier this year that it would be running another pilot program in Salt Lake City in early-to-mid 2012.

(Photo by Stuart Seeger)