Gemalto selected by KDDI for Japan’s first mobile NFC launch

CARTES in Asia 2012, HONG KONG: Gemalto, a leader in digital security, announced being selected by KDDI for Japan’s first commercial launch of mobile NFC services. KDDI serves over 34 million subscribers in Japan. Successfully launched in January, Gemalto provides a one-stop service to KDDI, encompassing its Allynis Trusted Service Manager (TSM) software and UpTeq NFC high-end security device.

The launch is a part of the recently announced Japan Mobile NFC Consortium that brings together the country’s three largest operators to coordinate the adoption of multiple international standards for NFC. Subscribers are able to experience various types of contactless services ranging from mobile payments, transportation services, e-driver’s licenses, e-ticketing as well as information acquisition from smart posters. The launch sees participation from a wide-range of leading industries including car manufacturers, airlines and cinema operators. The launch in Japan will also allow end users to use NFC services both domestically and outside of Japan.

KDDI’s early migration to Gemalto’s Upteq NFC high-end security SIM-format device provides a solid protection for the operator’s investments in NFC with lower risks and higher returns. KDDI began last year to insert UpTeq NFC in handsets in place of the standard SIM/UICC so they are ready now to mass deploy NFC services. This further permits the operator to progressively incorporate new partners without the need to extensively pre-qualify each and every service and application or anticipate all the subscriber configurations ahead of time.

Service providers and KDDI are able to easily deploy and manage new services and install additional applications with full flexibility, after card issuance to end users. KDDI’s mobile NFC program will be based on international standards compliant with GSMA’s Pay-Buy-Mobile specifications, allowing for faster market rollout and ensuring a high level of security for transactions.

“With more than 45 NFC projects globally, Gemalto has unrivalled experience in managing the complexity of building a mobile contactless ecosystem,” said Kenichi Bandou, senior manager, KDDI. “As Japan is where mobile proximity started many years ago, with consumers already actively using mobile contactless services, we anticipate quick user adoption of this new service.”

“KDDI’s decision to proceed with commercialization was based on their subscribers’ positive feedback that the pilot program brought much convenience and added value to their daily lives,” added Tan Teck-Lee, president Asia, Gemalto. “Built from our extensive engagements across key digital security markets worldwide, Gemalto’s end-to-end NFC solution will enable further massive deployment of mobile contactless services across Japan. It is also the first step towards NFC roaming capability, which will enable mobile users to make purchases in globally compatible contactless point of sales wherever they are when they travel abroad.”