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Gemplus supplies Vodafone Ireland with the first generic Java CardTM Technology-based SIM platform

  • Gemplus first to deliver Java Card™ technology to Ireland
  • Java® technology forms common platform across Vodafone Group
  • Designed to facilitate subscriber migration from voice to data services
  • Reinforces Gemplus' commitment to Ireland as SIM market leader

Dublin, 22 October 2002 - Gemplus, the world's number one provider of solutions enabled by smart cards, announces the delivery to Vodafone Ireland of the first common smart card platform, the Global Generic 1 SIM. This promotes synergy and facilitates the deployment of common data applications across the Vodafone Group. The platform is based on Gemplus' standard Java Card™ technology and is customised to meet Vodafone's specifications.

"The common Java® platform is an integral part of Vodafone's strategy," commented Barry Dignam, SIM Product Manager, Vodafone Ireland. "It has been designed to ease our subscribers' migration from voice to data as it is a future-proof platform for the deployment of secure mobile data services. Gemplus' early involvement in the project helped us validate both our SIM specifications and test procedures".

This technology is based on the GemXploreTM 'Xpresso Java Card platform, which earlier this year received EAL5+ certification by the Common Criteria security standards. This goes beyond the legal requirements for digital signature and is recognized by banks and financial institutions, paving the way for the roll-out of secure mobile commerce. Other Java Card technology currently available reaches only EAL4+.

"A top priority for Gemplus is in enabling the secure delivery of mobile services to bring operators closer to their customers. By delivering the first Java Card technology to Vodafone Ireland, we have provided a generic platform ensuring consistent service provisioning whether for voice or for data", commented Paul Naldrett, Director, Telecom for Northern Europe, Gemplus.

About Vodafone Ireland
Vodafone is Ireland's leading mobile phone operator with a base of over 1.7 million customers and a total of 1,500 employees. Vodafone holds 57% of the market share in Ireland. On May 11, 2001 the Irish company officially became a subsidiary of the Vodafone Group plc, the largest mobile telecommunications company in the world. The Vodafone Group has interests in mobile networks in 28 countries across five continents and has over 100 million customers worldwide.

About Gemplus
GEMPLUS: the world's leading provider of smart card solutions.

Gemplus helps its clients offer an exceptional range of portable, personalized solutions that bring security and convenience to people's lives. These include mobile internet access, inter-operable banking facilities, e-commerce and a wealth of other applications.
Gemplus is the only completely dedicated, truly global player in the Smart Card industry, with the largest R&D team, unrivalled experience, and an outstanding track record of technological innovation.

In 2001, Gemplus was the worldwide smart card leader in both revenue and total smart card shipments (source: Gartner-Dataquest, Frost and Sullivan) . Gemplus was also awarded Frost and Sullivan's 2002 Market Value Award for its exceptional performance.

Gemplus trades its shares on Euronext Paris S.A. First Market and on the Nasdaq Stock Market(tm) as GEMP in the form of ADSs. Its revenue in 2001 was 1 billion Euros.

Gemplus: Beyond Smart
www.gemplus.com

For further information please contact:

Gemplus
Steve Lacourt
Regional PR Manager
Tel +32 2711 4820
steve.lacourt@gemplus.com

Edelman PR Agency
Vanessa Wong
Account Director
Edelman PR
Tel +44 (0)20 7344 1349
vanessa.wong@edelman.com

©2002 Gemplus All rights reserved. Gemplus and the Gemplus logo 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. Java and Java Card are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sun Microsystems, Inc. in the United States and other countries.