JCB Collaborates with CASSIS International in an Experiment to Test OTA Services for NFC Mobile Payment

JCB Collaborates with CASSIS International in an Experiment to Test OTA Services for NFC Mobile Payment

Tokyo and Singapore, February 21, 2008–JCB and CASSIS International (CASSIS) announced today an agreement to collaborate in an experiment to test NFC over-the-air (OTA) services. JCB and CASSIS International will jointly demonstrate end-to-end secure contactless payment issuance services for NFC mobile phones. The demonstration will begin this April with the following services to ensure secure over-the-air registration of customer data:

  • Application and security life cycle management
  • Creation of security domain on-the-fly
  • Secure EMV data processing for JCB application
  • Load, install, block, un-block and delete application
  • Customer service and audit

CASSIS is providing market-proven platforms and solutions to the collaboration that will enable customers to receive JCB card application and account information securely over-the-air on their NFC enabled handset anywhere in the world.

CASSIS is a trusted service manager for commercial NFC projects for leading Asia Pacific mobile operators and financial institutions. “We are pleased to cooperate with JCB in this exciting project. We have been providing trusted service manager services to financial institutions since 2003, and have now evolved into provisioning cross industry services for the NFC ecosystem,” said Thian Yee Chua, CEO, CASSIS International. “This agreement is a major milestone for CASSIS, and we are proud that it acknowledges CASSIS leadership in over-the-air remote management of secure services.”

“Secure over-the-air service is a key factor in mobile payment. One primary consideration is to select a partner that has a proven track record and can grow with our needs,” said Tom Okabe, senior vice president of global infrastructure and technologies at JCB. “NFC is going to happen in many markets soon, and we need to be ready for commercial deployment when it does. CASSIS has the infrastructure and the proven solution to execute our strategies.”

Aplix Solutions, Inc. will be collaborating with CASSIS to provide support to JCB. “This project has a lot of potential for the future. The mobile handset is becoming more and more important as a tool in our daily lives, and the need for secure application download over-the-air is growing just as fast,” said Masaaki Sekino, CEO, Aplix Solutions Co. Ltd. “Our strong expertise in the mobile industry is going to help make this project a success.”

NFC technology is promoted by a non-profit industry association established in 2004 by leading mobile communications, semiconductor and consumer electronics companies. According to the latest forecast from ABI Research, 20% of the global mobile handset market will ship with built-in NFC capabilities by 2012.

About CASSIS International

Founded in 2002, CASSIS International is a leading end-to-end security solutions and service provider of smart card innovation, technology and services. CASSIS specializes in co-creating value for its clients through collaborative business partnerships to optimize client investments in Smart Card Technology. CASSIS builds application environments for its clients to register and process smart cards and other chip-enabled devices so that cardholders and users can dynamically and securely access multiple applications offered by service providers.

CASSIS International has a Visa International, MasterCard International and ISO27001 certified Digital Security Centre to provide secure shared services to mobile operators and financial institutions worldwide.

CASSIS is headquartered in Singapore, with offices in Malaysia, Korea and France.

For further information please contact info@cassis-intl.com or visit http://www.CASSIS-intl.com.

About JCB

JCB is a major global payment brand and leading credit card issuer and acquirer in Japan. JCB launched its card business in Japan in 1961 and began expanding overseas in 1981. Its merchant network includes 13.53 million merchants and spans 190 countries and territories. JCB cards are now issued in 19 countries and territories, with 58.08 million cardmembers. As part of its international growth strategy, JCB has formed alliances with more than 350 leading banks and financial institutions globally to increase merchant coverage and cardmember base. As a comprehensive payment solution provider, JCB commits to provide responsive and high-quality service and products to all customers worldwide. For more information, visit: http://www.jcbcorporate.com/english.

About Aplix Solutions, Inc.

Aplix Solutions, Inc. is a joint venture company of Aplix Corporation and Quattro Media Corporation, established in February 2007 and headquartered in Tokyo. The company discovers and develops innovative next generation technology through global marketing research using domestic and foreign networks and business tie-ups, primarily for mobile phones and a variety of digital devices such as information home appliances and digital cameras. For more information, please contact below.

Contact

Deb Montner
Montner & Associates
203-226-9290
dmontner@montner.com