Mobile Payment Magazine

NFC Insert for Mobile Payment Introduced by On Track Innovations

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On Track Innovations has introduced their new mobile payment system which enables existing mobile phones to support Near Field Communication (NFC) functionality and contactless payments.

The company’s Contactless Payment and NFC Insert (COPNI)  is an add-on to mobile phones’ SIM cards with a flexible antenna. The mobile payment system is independent of the handset type and model, and lets users have one device that is both a mobile phone and a mobile wallet. It is compatible with carriers’ current infrastructure. Mobile phones equipped with COPNI can be used in a broad range of payment applications simply by tapping the phone near a contactless reader. Payments are automatically confirmed and deducted from consumers’ bank accounts, credit cards or pre-paid accounts.

“OTI’s new mobile payment system will allow consumers to easily add NFC functionality to their current mobile phone,” said Oded Bashan, chairman and CEO, OTI. “Our patented technology provides mobile operators and financial institutions/issuers with a quick-to-market NFC solution using the existing infrastructure. It offers them a way to get into the mobile payment market while expanding their customer base and generating increased revenues.”

COPNI supports existing contactless payment applications from major card associations, mass transit ticketing (with MIFARE support) as well as loyalty programs and other proprietary programs. According to the company, potential applications include:

  • Mass transit ticketing – instead of presenting cash or swiping a card at the turnstile, consumers just tap their phone near a contactless reader to proceed through the turnstile
  • Information retrieval – gives consumers the ability to view the current balance of their mobile wallet, and also allows their mobile handsets to receive and instantly download information from their surroundings (retail store, museum, etc.)
  • E-coupons – coupons downloaded to their wireless phone can be redeemed in retail stores at checkout

Source: GlobeNewsWire

Gemalto Seeks Growth in NFC Market with NXP Partnership

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Working toward growing its presence in Near Field Communications (NFC) payment systems, Gemalto has entered into an agreement with NXP Semiconductors N.V., as well as the mobile payments trial in Singapore.

Gemalto’s activities range from the development of software applications through the design and production of secure personal devices such as smart cards, SIMs, e-passports and tokens, to the deployment of managed services for our customers. The company has more than 10,000 employees and 2009 revenues of  €1.654 billion.

The agreement with NXP, calls for Gemalto to integrate NXP’s MIFARE technology into its Universal Integrated Circuit Card (UICC), which will expand the mobile contactless payment market because MIFARE is one of the most ubiquitous mobile contactless services and Gemalto’s SIMs are used in a large number of mobile devices.

The agreement enables Gemalto to complement its existing NFC application portfolio with MIFARE DESFire and MIFARE Plus  technology for its UICC security solutions. As a result, mobile operators and service providers will be able to offer a broad range of mobile contactless services thanks to the widened availability of UICC cards incorporating MIFARE.

This is the most widespread contactless technology worldwide and provides high levels of performance, flexibility and security in public transportation, access management, event ticketing and customer loyalty programs.
“MIFARE is already at the heart of contactless infrastructures around the world,” said Henri Ardevol,
vice president and general manager, secure transactions, NXP Semiconductors. “We are proud to
collaborate with Gemalto to offer the convenience of this technology to a new target of 5 billion mobile
phone users.”

“Adding the MIFARE capability to Gemalto’s NFC application portfolio is key for the mass deployment of
mobile contactless,” added Rémi de Fouchier, senior vice president, Trusted Services Management,
Gemalto. “We are enthused that more and more consumers around the world will enjoy the simplicity
and convenience of waving their mobile phone for couponing and stored value payment and transport
services.”

Source:  RCR Wireless News, Gemalto