Gemalto and NXP Semiconductors (News - Alert) have collaborated on SIM-enabled Near Field Communication (NFC) solutions based on the Single Wire Protocol (SWP).

 

In a joint effort, the two companies have agreed to develop this new line of products that ensure interoperability with NXP’s MIFARE technology as well as other widely deployed contactless protocols. NXP and Gemalto (News - Alert) expect their alliance will result in more rapid response to demand from telecom operators, services providers and consumers for NFC-based applications.

 

The collaboration also aims to facilitate the definition of standardized SIM-based NFC products.

 

“As co-inventor of NFC, NXP is committed to further broadening and strengthening the ecosystem along with other key industry players,” said Christophe Duverne, senior vice president and general manager, identification, NXP Semiconductors, a press release.

 

Duverne said that his company expects a significant proportion of NFC mobile phones to use the SIM as a secure element. By collaborating with Gemalto, NXP now can define and support a common standard that is fully compliant with the existing contactless infrastructure, leveraging both companies’ expertise in NFC, MIFARE and SIM.

 

“We are confident this will provide the industry with a solid foundation on which to build innovative NFC-based services,” he added.

 

According to Philippe Vallee, vice president, telecom business unit, Gemalto, the availability of SIM-based NFC phones is expected to positively impact operators and service providers, as well as end users.

 

Vallee said he believes each and every customer of them will gain from this new scheme.

It enables operators to provide better value to their installed customer base, while service providers have a new way to reach more customers.

 

“Millions of end users will eventually benefit from value-added services that will simplify their day-to-day lives, such as the ability to reload travel passes or check their latest transaction from anywhere, anytime. Together, Gemalto and NXP are paving the way for a boom in NFC-based applications that will embrace the lifestyle of today's citizens on-the-move,” explained Vallee.

 

MIFARE compatibility with SWP technology has undergone successful joint evaluation and specification and NXP is now designing a new SIM-enabled NFC chip and SIM chip that supports the SWP protocol and provides MIFARE capability.

 

Gemalto is reportedly developing a SIM card and trusted service management offering for banks, transport companies and telecom operators. This will enable the company to manage provisioning and personalization of mobile contactless applications.

 

Gemalto provides end-to-end digital security solutions, from the development of software applications through design and production of secure personal devices such as smart cards, SIMs, e-passports, and tokens to the management of deployment services for its customers.

 

NXP creates semiconductors, system solutions and software that deliver better sensory experiences in mobile phones, personal media players, TVs, set-top boxes, identification applications, cars and a wide range of other electronic devices.

 

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