Identity, Security, Payments, Biometrics, Smart Cards and Authentication News

NSIDE Contactless and Kyocera Wireless join forces on NFC integration

Wednesday, October 31, 2007

Kyocera Wireless Corp. (KWC), a global manufacturer of CDMA wireless phones and devices, and INSIDE Contactless announced a global collaboration to integrate INSIDE Contactless’ cutting-edge NFC solution for mobile payments in select prototype Kyocera mobile phones. As part of the collaboration, KWC will build NFC-enabled prototype mobile phones enhanced with INSIDE’s microread®, allowing the technology to be used in various banking pilot projects and initial adoption globally.


Kyocera Wireless and INSIDE Contactless Join Forces on NFC Integration

Near Field Communication Technology Enables Wide Range of M-Commerce and Wireless Wallet Applications

San Diego and Aix en Provence, France, October 30th, 2007 – Kyocera Wireless Corp. (KWC), a leading global manufacturer of CDMA wireless phones and devices, and INSIDE Contactless, a world leader for Near Field Communication (NFC) technologies and other contactless payments solutions, today announced a global collaboration to integrate INSIDE Contactless’ cutting-edge NFC solution for mobile payments in select prototype Kyocera mobile phones.

The agreement may eventually allow KWC to offer unique services to global carriers and content providers and further the acceptance of mobile payment platforms.

As part of the collaboration, KWC will build NFC-enabled prototype mobile phones enhanced with INSIDE’s microread®, allowing the technology to be used in various banking pilot projects and initial adoption globally.

“Working with INSIDE Contactless enhances the leadership position Kyocera has created in driving the adoption of NFC in the North American wireless market,” said Cheri de Lacy, vice president of Strategic Planning at KWC. “Future NFC-enabled phones from Kyocera will include an in-depth range of unique advanced functionalities at the forefront of NFC technology.”

INSIDE Contactless has been at the leading edge of mobile payment development with unique experience with the largest banking institutions, a leadership position in the NFC Forum and a wide portfolio of patented technologies. Further, INSIDE Contactless has been the global market leader for contactless card-based payments solutions with more than 30M chips delivered to date.

“After the success of contactless payment in the US, INSIDE is delighted to see Kyocera stepping up to NFC as it will leverage the contactless infrastructure already deployed for m-payment. Having an NFC/CDMA solution is key for INSIDE to address the US market and this partnership adds a lot to our company”, said Remy de Tonnac, CEO of INSIDE Contactless. [end] 

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According to EPC, the white paper focuses on the usage of the mobile payments in the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) and explores how m-payment services can be delivered through cooperation between service providers in the payment industry and players within the mobile ecosystem.

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For the installation, Blackpool Council opted for the Parkeon Strada pay station terminal. This new, solar-powered terminal is equipped with contactless card readers, accepting contactless payment-enabled mobile phones and various wave and pay bank cards.

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A new survey from Euro Kartensysteme shows that Germans are starting to embrace the idea of contactless and NFC payments.

Out of 1,040 Germans aged 18-59, 43% responded that they would like to make contactless payments if given the opportunity, of which 58% percent would make their payments with a debit card card, 41% with a credit card and 50% with an NFC phone.

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GlobalPlatform has announced that Clear2Pay, a global payment solutions provider, and Shanghai COS, a chip operating system (COS) developer, have become the organization’s newest members.

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