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Gemplus and Iusacell first to trial User Identity Module (UIM) smart cards for CDMA in the Americas
First signs of adoption of smart cards by the CDMA community in The Americas
Luxembourg, 3 October 2001 – Gemplus the world's number one provider of smart card based solutions for security, wireless and e-business applications, and Grupo IUSACELL, a leading CDMA Mexican operator, part of the Verizon group, have teamed up to successfully trial Gemplus’ GemXplore World smart cards in CDMA UIM-enabled handsets.
Grupo IUSACELL is the first Latin American operator to trial smart cards in its network. CDMA operators in the Americas are currently investigating the benefits and opportunities of the UIM. One of these benefits includes the ability to provide a virtually global coverage with GSM-CDMA roaming. By simply inserting his/her UIM in a GSM phone, a wireless user can access his/her personal data while traveling abroad. Regardless of phones, radios, or location, the UIM is the ideal wireless service delivery platform, linking the end user and the operator. In addition, the smart card ensures security for all wireless transactions. With high levels of authentication and validation procedures built into the card, the operator is able to guarantee a secure service and thus create an environment of trust.
“Gemplus has demonstrated its commitment to supporting carriers in implementing smart card-based CDMA networks worldwide,” said Perry LaForge, Executive Director of the CDMA Development Group (CDG). “Gemplus’ smart-card technology further demonstrates CDMA leadership in providing innovative solutions to meet emerging market needs. Global roaming is one of the key priorities for the CDMA industry and we applaud Grupo IUSACELL and Gemplus for their contributions to making it possible.”
“Gemplus’ expertise was instrumental in launching the trial and in quickly demonstrating the value of UIM smart cards in our CDMA network,” says Grupo IUSACELL’s President and General Director, Peter Burrowes.
“We are proud to support Grupo IUSACELL’s vision for smart cards. It is concrete proof that smart cards play a key role in global roaming. The Americas are clearly the next major market for UIM smart cards, and Gemplus is ready to support wireless operators in their migration paths to 3G,” states Mac McKinnon, Vice President, Telecom Business Unit of Gemplus North America.
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About Gemplus
GEMPLUS: the world's leading smart card solutions provider
Since its creation in 1988, Gemplus International S.A.(Euronext: Sicovam 5768 and NASDAQ:GEMP) has driven the global marketing and deployment of smart card-based applications for telecommunications, financial services and e-business security.
Gemplus is instrumental throughout the value chain - chip design, card management systems, software development, and consulting - delivering integrated custom-made solutions for the security, personalization and privacy management needs of clients and partners worldwide.
Gemplus technology has played a defining role in the development of wireless telephony since the introduction of SIM cards into the GSM standard in 1990. For more than a decade, Gemplus has pioneered applications that enable network operators around the world to answer the changing needs of their customers. Gemplus was first to market with a 3G card and supplies a product range compliant with new and emerging transmission standards - 2.5G, 3G.
In 2000, revenue was 1.205 BE, up 57% from the previous year's 767ME. Net income was 99 ME. Gemplus employs more than 7800 people in 37 countries worldwide.
Since 11 December 2000, Gemplus shares have been trading on Euronext Paris S.A. First Market and on Nasdaq Stock Market in the form of ADSs. GEMPLUS: the world's number one provider of solutions empowered by Smart Cards (Gartner Dataquest 2001, Frost & Sullivan 2001).
Gemplus: www.gemplus.com
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Contacts
Gemplus Corporate, Marielle Bricman
tel: 33 4 42 36 55 96
email: marielle.bricman@gemplus.com
Gemplus Americas, Tarvinder Karsandh
tel: 1 650-654-2917
email: tarvinder.karsandh@gemplus.com
Gemplus Asia, Janet Loh
tel: 65 317 3746
email: Janet.LOH-TK@gemplus.com
©2001 Gemplus All rights reserved. Gemplus,
the Gemplus logo and GemSense are trademarks and service marks of Gemplus
S.A. and are registered in certain countries. All other trademarks and
service marks, whether registered or not in specific countries, are the
property of their respective owners.
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