Sprint Networks USSR has introduced an on-line credit/debit card-checking service for Moscow-based retail operations. The system is the first of its kind in the former Soviet Union. Its specification is relatively simple – it consists of Verifone transaction processing terminals at the customer sites linked by leased lines to Sprint’s Moscow node. Transactions are then fed to London via X25 for verification. The process takes 10 to 15 seconds – the quicker Fast Select packet switching technology is not available as it is still CoCom-restricted. In principle, Sprint has the technology to organise money transfer but there are no clearing agreements in place to facilitate this. Its first customer is the Oko bank of Finland which is also handling the routing of credit checking in the West. Second was the Irish House organisation, spending $100,000 on some 20 terminals, leased lines, a small packet switching system and links to its operation in Ireland. The other main retailing outfit in Moscow, Finnish supermarket chain Stockmann, is taking delivery of a similar system at the moment. Sprint says that it has a major customer in St Petersburg taking delivery this month. Robert Farish, editor of Moscow Computer News
