About Smart Cards : Applications : Telecommunications |
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Telecommunications Applications
Smart cards are used extensively in the telecommunications industry worldwide. Eurosmart has reported that 4.6 billion smart cards shipped globally for telecommunications applications in 2011. Eurosmart is estimating that smart card shipments for telecommunications applications will grow to 5.1 billion in 2012.
Smart cards are used in two primary telecommunications applications – as prepaid (stored value memory cards) telephone cards and as the microprocessor smart card-based Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) in mobile phones. In addition, new NFC-enabled mobile phones that incorporate a secure element are being used for a variety of applications, including mobile contactless payments, ticketing and mobile marketing.
Smart Cards, SIMs and UICCs
A Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card is a type of microcontroller-based smart card used in mobile phones and other devices. A SIM identifies and authenticates a subscriber to a wireless cell phone network. Unless blocked by the operator, a subscriber can move his phone service to a new phone just by physically moving the SIM. SIMs also facilitate global roaming, providing subscribers with access to voice, data and other services when traveling in other countries. In addition, SIMs can store contact information and phone numbers, and can be used for other applications.
The Universal Integrated Circuit Card (UICC) is a new generation of SIM technology optimized for newer wireless network standards. The term SIM is widely used in the industry and especially with consumers to mean both SIMs and UICCs, although they are different technologies. The UICC offers many enhanced capabilities, including better support for multiple applications and IP addressing.
SIMs and the newer UICCs are used in wireless networks based on several different standards, but the fact that they are mandatory in GSM (Global System for Mobile communications) networks has been a very significant market driver.
SIMs and UICCs are the smart card industry’s highest volume products for both units and revenue. According to Eurosmart, microcontroller smart card production shipments for the telecom sector in 2011 was 4.6 billion units. This represents 75% of the 6.135 billion total number of smart cards produced for all sectors.
Pay Phones and Smart Cards
Over 100 countries use smart cards instead of coins in their pay phones to improve customer convenience and telecommunications operators’ business models (less cash, reduced risk of losses).
NFC-Enabled Mobile Applications
NFC technology is a standards-based wireless communication technology that allows data to be exchanged between devices that are a few centimeters apart. NFC operates at 13.56 MHz and transfers data at up to 424 Kbits/second.
NFC is distinguished by its intuitive interface and its ability to enable largely proprietary wireless networking platforms to interoperate in a seamless manner. The primary uses are to:
- Connect electronic devices, such as wireless components in a home office system or a headset with a mobile phone
- Access digital content, using a wireless device such as a cell phone to read a “smart” poster embedded with an RF tag
- Make contactless transactions, including those for payment, access and ticketing
Expected NFC-enabled mobile applications include:
- Making payments with a wave or a touch anywhere contactless card readers have been deployed
- Reading information and “picking up” special offers, coupons and discounts from smart posters or smart billboards
- Storing tickets to access transportation gates, parking garages or get into events
- Storing personal information that will allow secure building access
When used for mobile contactless payment, NFC-enabled mobile phones incorporate smart chips (called secure elements) that allow the phones to securely store the payment application and consumer account information and to use the information as a “virtual payment card.” NFC payment transactions between a mobile phone and a POS terminal use the standard ISO/IEC 14443 communication protocol currently used by EMV and U.S. contactless credit and debit cards.
NFC-enabled mobile phones can also be used for chip-enabled mobile marketing applications – coupons, loyalty programs and other marketing offers that can add significant value for merchants, issuers and the mobile ecosystem.
Smart Card Alliance resources on NFC-enabled mobile applications include:
Chip-Enabled Mobile Marketing. This white paper describes chip-enabled mobile marketing and discusses the value propositions and implementation approaches. The white paper includes an overview of mobile marketing applications and approaches, the value proposition of chip-enabled mobile marketing, use cases for chip-enabled mobile marketing (with 20 pilots or commercial services profiled), and implementation approaches.
The Mobile Payments and NFC Landscape: A U.S. Perspective. This white paper provides an overview of the current state of the market for mobile payments and NFC-enabled payment applications in the U.S and to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of different mobile payment approaches.
NFC Resources. This resource page lists Smart Card Alliance reports and industry organizations, resources and news relating to NFC.
Proximity Mobile Payments Business Scenarios: Research Report on Stakeholder Perspectives. This report documents research conducted by the Smart Card Alliance to assess industry stakeholder perspectives on the different business models that could be deployed for proximity mobile payments. The report contains the results of interviews with 21 leading stakeholders in the financial and mobile payments industries.
Proximity Mobile Payments: Leveraging NFC and the Contactless Financial Payments Infrastructure. This white paper describes opportunities for proximity mobile payments using NFC-enabled mobile phones and devices and the contactless financial payments infrastructure. The white paper describes what is necessary to implement and deploy proximity mobile payment systems, discusses the relevant technical and business issues from the perspective of the various stakeholders (e.g., mobile operators, the financial industry, end-users, providers and vendors), and outlines the potential opportunities and barriers that may impact its market adoption.
Security of Proximity Mobile Payments. This white paper provides an overview of the ecosystem of proximity mobile payments. It introduces the stakeholders in the mobile payment ecosystem and describes their roles and responsibilities in assuring the security of sensitive data. It explains how the payment application, consumer credentials and consumer account information are securely delivered to, loaded on and stored in a mobile device. It explains how a mobile device transmits data to a merchant at the point of sale, identifies risks present during the lifecycle of the payment device, and suggests countermeasures. It also identifies industry standards and certifications organization organizations that address this ecosystem.
Additional information about Near Field Communication (NFC) can be found at the NFC Forum.
