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SCMP Reporter

Smart-card manufacturer Gemplus has released in Asia what it claims is the first Sim (subscriber identity module) card tool kit meant for third-generation (3G) mobile-phone services.

The GemXplore 3G includes a universal subscriber identity module (Usim) card, a Usim Java card and the software program for testing, training and application development.

'This Usim evaluation kit, with card samples and reader, was recently selected by a number of W-CDMA (wideband code division multiple access) operators in Asia to help deliver planned 3G services,' said Philippe Vallee, executive vice-president at Gemplus Asia-Pacific.

Mr Vallee did not identify the clients, but said there were few operators in the region with 3G-ready infrastructure to test and support the GemXplore product.

One of those is Japanese wireless Internet services provider NTT DoCoMo, which already has announced plans for the world's first 3G network next year, using W-CDMA technology.

The service promises 3G wireless subscribers 'always-on', high-speed Internet access, mobile electronic commerce, location-based services, personalised message services, and audio and video streaming.

Ron Black, Gemplus vice-president and general manager for next-generation networks, said future deployment of the GemXplore Sim tool kit would allow operators to offer smart-card-based, or 'plastic' roaming, 'and bridge the gap between the different standards'.

'With a universally compatible, removable smart card, 3G mobile subscribers will have the freedom to roam worldwide, and operators will have the capacity to develop and deploy mobile services tailored to their subscribers' needs,' Mr Black said.

Sim cards and Sim-related software and services enable mobile-phone service operators to provide a wide range of value-added services over their networks.

According to Gemplus, its 3G card can run a Usim application simultaneously with a second-generation Sim application.

At present, the many proposed 3G networks and services must rely on industry initiatives to standardise the evolution of second-generation wireless communications infrastructure. Network operators must choose between three roads that are all supposed to lead to 3G service capabilities.

For networks based on the GSM (global system for mobile communications) wireless standard, the road to 3G is represented by the UMTS (universal mobile telecommunications system). This system is to be deployed in Europe, Japan and other parts of Asia.

UMTS offers a consistent set of services to mobile-phone and computer users worldwide and data transmission rates of up to two megabits per second. W-CDMA is a protocol that is supposed to best represent this effort by the GSM community.

A 3G standard called CDMA 2000, developed by Qualcomm, is to be deployed in parts of the United States and Asia.

The third standard - TDMA-Edge (time division multiple access-enhanced data rates for global evolution) - offers second-generation enhanced services and 3G-compliant high-speed wireless data and Internet access technology.

This technology is being deployed in most of the United States, some South American countries and parts of Asia.

'We believe our 3G solution can open up 3G to the non-GSM world,' Mr Black said.

'GemXplore features a new smart-card operating system design built around Java and the latest 3GPP standard requirements.'

The 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) is an alliance of standards bodies and industry consortiums from around the world that establish specifications for 3G mobile communications technology.

'Gemplus smart-card technology has been driving the worldwide development of wireless services since 1990, when Sim cards were introduced into the GSM standard. And we intend to get our smart-card solutions included in 3G systems across the globe,' Mr Vallee said.

Prototypes for the Gemplus 3G smart cards feature 1MB and 2MB memory storage capacity to handle the data-rich applications expected to be offered with 3G services on handsets and personal digital assistants.

Although Gemplus already has 32kB capacity Sim cards on the market, the average storage size on Sim cards is 16kB.

Mr Black said development was proceeding to improve security functions and multi-application capabilities based on 3GPP-led standardisation efforts.

Gemplus has two 3G development teams, one in Japan and another in France, where the company is based.

Mr Vallee said Gemplus had capacity to meet demand for 3G smart cards in the region.

'We are well-positioned to deliver this solution to operators through our four manufacturing plants in Asia,' he said. The firm has factories in Tianjin and Zhuhai in China, and two in Singapore.



Asia gets card for next-generation mobiles