INSIDE Secure adds NFC function to legacy mobile phones using SIM cards

CARTES & IDentification, PARIS, FRANCE: INSIDE Secure announced a major technology innovation that allows an NFC card emulation solution to fit into a standard SIM card form factor and still achieve industry-standard 4cm proximity transaction performance. The INSIDE technology innovation is able to achieve this groundbreaking performance even when operating from inside a mobile phone by significantly reducing the effects of the metals and electrical noise typically found within these devices.

The patented INSIDE core technology is part of an initiative that will allow the company to bring multiple new NFC products to market in 2012 and 2013, both directly and with key strategic partners. This core technology creates significant improvements over conventional NFC core technology, enabling 4cm or greater contactless read distance in a mobile device with an antenna footprint of less than 1cm2. A technology demonstration is being presented for the first time during the CARTES & IDentification 2011 conference and exhibition being held here this week.

"INSIDE Secure is again demonstrating its leadership in the NFC market by providing a core enabling technology that will enable multiple new end products in SIM and microSD form-factors for use in legacy mobile devices, accelerating the adoption of NFC card emulation use cases within the currently deployed mobile phone market," said Charles Walton, COO at INSIDE Secure. "This breakthrough technology provides a means of bringing NFC services to markets that might otherwise not be immediately reachable through smart phone sales, such as in Brazil, India and African countries, or for any market with a large installed base of legacy mobile phones."

For the demonstration, a standard SIM card containing the INSIDE core technology chip, a secure element and an antenna that measures a scant 5 x 10 mm will be inserted into the SIM slots of selected legacy phones from leading handset makers. These mobile devices will then be used to demonstrate NFC contactless transaction performance with a reader device. Despite the antenna's diminutive size, the phones containing the INSIDE solution will able to communicate with contactless readers, just like standard ISO 14443 contactless smart cards used in US contactless payment deployments.

While the demonstration at CARTES utilizes a SIM card, the INSIDE Secure core technology may be embedded into other form-factor devices and integrated with other mobile device components.

"Until now, no one has been able to place a complete NFC solution, including antenna, into a SIM card, insert it into a mobile phone and have it perform well," said Bruno Charrat, chief innovation officer, at INSIDE Secure. "The patented INSIDE innovation enables the creation of new products with very small antennas, less than one square centimeter, making feasible the commercial introduction of NFC enablement products using the SIM form factor as well as other inserted or embedded solutions."

The potential market for products based on the patented INSIDE core technology is substantial. Many market analysts believe the total number of mobile phones in use worldwide is fast approaching six billion.

Commercial products based on this INSIDE core technology are expected to be available in the latter part of 2012. INSIDE will be starting discussions with prospective product partners during CARTES this week, and will be extending a partnership program structure in the new year. As products based on this INSIDE technology are launched and used in feature phones and smartphones, developers will be able to create applications that provide an interactive exchange between the user and an NFC payment or other application.

INSIDE is demonstrating this NFC innovation in booth 4L 022 in Hall 4 of the Paris Nord Villepinte Exhibition Center during the CARTES & IDentification 2011 conference and exhibition.