Gemalto, Sony to provide FeliCa/NFC solutions globally
28 February, 2012
category: NFC
Gemalto and Sony Corporation have announced that the pair will offer integrated FeliCa/near field communication solutions worldwide.
Under the agreement, Gemalto will incorporate Sony’s FeliCa software technology into its UpTeq NFC SIM product lineup starting in 2012. According to Gemalto, the UpTeq NFC SIM enables mobile operators to securely install additional applications from new service providers over time, even after issuance to end users.
With the addition of FeliCa, Sony’s proprietary contactless technology, the UpTeq NFC SIM will offer additional flexibility.
In addition to UpTeq, Gemalto will also expand its UICC solutions with FeliCa technology to complement its existing NFC applications portfolio.
FeliCa is used in Asia for public transportation, access management, event ticketing, customer loyalty programs and micropayments. As of March 2011, there were over 516 million units of FeliCa IC Chips worldwide, incorporated in 346 million cards and 170 million mobile phones, according to Gemalto.