ETSI decision adds a key piece to the Mobile NFC jigsaw puzzle
The GSMA is pleased that the European Telecommunications Standards Institute has adopted the technical standards governing Mobile Near Field Communications (NFC) services supported by the Association and its members. The completion of the core of the technical standards removes a potential obstacle, enabling mobile operators to prepare for the rollout of contactless payment services and other applications that make use of this flexible short-range radio technology.
Last week, members of ETSI selected the software protocol to control communication between the handset’s NFC chip and the SIM card, completing the standards necessary for handset makers to begin production of NFC-enabled phones in large volumes.
As part of the GSMA’s Pay-Buy-Mobile initiative, 13 mobile operators are running, or preparing to run, trials of contactless mobile payment services that make use of NFC technology. These trials are the precursor to commercial services that will enable consumers to use their handsets to quickly, easily and securely pay for goods and services in shops, restaurants and train stations.
“ETSI’s approval of the specification for a dedicated interface, or ‘Host Controller Interface’ (HCI), helps end uncertainty, complete the core mobile NFC standards and is an crucial milestone for the plans of the GSMA and its members to deploy contactless mobile payment services,” said Alex Sinclair, Chief Technology Officer of the GSMA. “The software protocol solution chosen by ETSI will make these new services easier to use by enabling consumers to access all the secure applications on their handset, no matter where they are stored, through one common interface.”
Notes to editors:
Last year, ETSI adopted the Single Wire Protocol as the hardware standard for communication between a user’s SIM (or UICC) card and their handset’s NFC chip. Following a vote on February 22nd, 2008, members of ETSI have now selected the standard for the Host Controller Interface – the software layer that runs on-top of the Single Wire Protocol hardware layer.
The Host Controller Interface software chosen by ETSI routes all secure applications stored on the handset and peripherals, such as memory cards, through the SIM card. This approach, supported by the GSMA and mobile operators, enables the user to access all these secure applications through one menu on their phone.
About the GSMA:
The GSM Association (GSMA) is the global trade association representing more than 700 GSM mobile phone operators across 218 countries and territories of the world. In addition, more than 200 manufacturers and suppliers support the Association’s initiatives as key partners. The primary goals of the GSMA are to ensure mobile phones and wireless services work globally and are easily accessible, enhancing their value to individual customers and national economies, while creating new business opportunities for operators and their suppliers. The Association’s members serve more than 2.5 billion customers – 85% of the world’s mobile phone users.
For more information please contact:
Mark Smith or David Pringle
GSM Association
Email: [email protected]