Gemplus takes the SIM into the Multimedia Age with GemXplore Generations
A new range of cards from 128KB to 1 GB representing a breakthrough in SIM design and memory, generating value for all 3GSM networks
Luxembourg and 3GSM World Congress, Cannes, 11 February 2005–Gemplus International S.A. (Euronext: LU0121706294 – GEM and NASDAQ: GEMP), the world’s leading provider of smart card based solutions, today launches its new range of SIM cards designed to support mobile network operators in their business and technology challenges arising from multimedia convergence. GemXplore Generations offers increased flexibility, larger memory and unrivaled performance as well as innovative services to help mobile operators build differentiating service offers for their customers.
Based on a new modular high performance 32-bit operating system and Flash memory technology, GemXplore Generations offers innovative “pick and plug” card design during the pre-issuance phase and a unique service for remote upgrades once the card is in the field. These innovative services offer significantly reduced time-to-market and increase the capacity to upgrade SIM-based services. It also enables the personalization of services to each market segment, even when the card is in the hands of the end-user.
“Our aim has always been to work closely with our customers and design our product roadmap in line with their needs. GemXplore Generations was born out of growing demand for a flexible SIM that embraces the opportunities for multimedia mobile communications”, said Philippe Vallée, Executive Vice-President, Telecom Business Unit, Gemplus. “Our customers recognize the value of the SIM in service deployment and the privileged link it offers with their customers. They needed a product that would offer a more unified management of operator-centric and network information as well as personal information and multimedia capabilities, which could be updated even when in the hands of the user. GemXplore Generations has been designed to respond to their current challenges and build future generations of added value services.”
GemXplore Generations helps operators improve their relationships with their end-users and facilitate service use through a “web-like” presentation of SIM-based services and by unifying service management in a unique and secure location.
Ronen Daniel, VP Marketing at the application provider, Celltick Technologies, said: “We are excited about Gemplus’ new SIM technology. It opens new opportunities that our customers will appreciate. The new SIM allows mobile operators to distribute our LiveScreen applet more rapidly, and to upgrade SIM cards that have already been given to users. Using it we will also enhance the user interface, deliver richer media and display live content in slicker and more appealing format”.
The GemXplore Generations cards comply with the latest standards and rely on a full infrastructure of services helping mobile operators stimulate multimedia service adoption. They also reinforce brand by offering innovative services and managing exclusive content: storage of MMS and J2ME applications, secure access to mobile-TV, multi network access control, mobile payment, DRM, secure contactless applications, etc.
At the high end of the range, GemXplore Generations Multimedia has been developed to break down the traditional barriers associated with SIM use by removing the limitations of memory size, with gigabyte storage capacity, and by offering high speed data transfer between the handset and the SIM. This means that the SIM evolves into a trusted device where the mobile operator can remotely manage all mobile services and where all personal and multimedia content can be stored. This facilitates and secures the management of multimedia services as well as continuity of service for the end-user when changing handset.
Visit the Gemplus stand (Hall 1, B19) at the 3GSM World Congress 2005 for a demonstration of GemXplore Generations or cross the Croisette to visit the Gemplus Demonstration center.
About Gemplus
Gemplus International S.A. (Euronext: LU0121706294 – GEM and NASDAQ: GEMP) is the world’s leading player in the smart card industry in both revenue and total shipments (source: Gartner-Dataquest (2004), Frost & Sullivan, Datamonitor.). It has sold over 5 billion smart cards.
With security at its core, and 2400 patents produced by its innovative R&D team, Gemplus delivers a wide range of portable, personalized solutions in areas including Identity, Mobile Telecommunications, Public Telephony, Banking, Retail, Transport, Healthcare, WLAN, Pay-TV, e-government, and access control.
Gemplus’ revenue in 2004 was 865 million Euros. http://www.gemplus.com