Telecom Lead America: Gemalto, a provider of digital
security, has been selected by KDDI for Japan’s first commercial launch of
mobile NFC services.
The launch is a part of the recently announced Japan
Mobile NFC Consortium that brings together the country’s three largest operators
to coordinate the adoption of multiple international standards for NFC.
As Japan is where mobile proximity started many years
ago, with consumers already actively using mobile contactless services, we
anticipate quick user adoption of this new service,” said Kenichi Bandou,
senior manager, KDDI.
KDDI’s migration to Gemalto’s Upteq NFC high-end security
SIM-format device provides a solid protection for the operator’s investments in
NFC with lower risks and higher returns.
KDDI’s decision to proceed with commercialization was
based on their subscribers’ positive feedback that the pilot program brought
much convenience and added value to their daily lives,” said Tan Teck-Lee,
president Asia, Gemalto.
The security provider offers a one-stop service to KDDI,
encompassing its Allynis Trusted Service Manager software and UpTeq NFC
high-end security device.
Last year, KDDI began inserting UpTeq NFC in handsets in
place of the standard SIM/UICC so they are ready now to mass deploy NFC
services. This further permits the operator to progressively incorporate new
partners without the need to extensively pre-qualify each and every service and
application.
Service providers and KDDI are able to easily deploy and
manage new services and install additional applications with full flexibility,
after card issuance to end users.
KDDI’s mobile NFC program will be based on international
standards compliant with GSMA’s Pay-Buy-Mobile specifications.
With this program, subscribers are able to experience
various types of contactless services ranging from mobile payments,
transportation services, e-driver’s licenses, e-ticketing as well as
information acquisition from smart posters.
Recently, Mobily,
a mobile operator in Saudi Arabia selected Gemalto’s Machine Identification
Module for deploying machine-to-machine services.
