PrivaCom Joins Gemplus' Partner Program to Offer SIM Controlled Calling

Cannes, 18 February 2003 - PrivaCom, a leading supplier of advanced applications for the mobile market, has signed a strategic partnership with Gemplus, the world's leading provider of smart card solutions. PrivaCom and Gemplus will jointly offer SIM Controlled Calling (SCC), a roaming solution for calling and seamless use of value added services, such as global voicemail, SMS, etc. This enables mobile operators to increase roaming traffic and revenue with full real-time control over services and pricing when its customers are abroad.

Under the agreement PrivaCom becomes a Gemplus Application partner of the SIM'Xplore Partner Program.

"PrivaCom focuses on innovation", says Nils Kijkuit, CEO at PrivaCom. "We want to be at the forefront of SIM application development. The benefits of cooperating with other leading companies are clear. We both aim to deliver advanced SIM applications to the mobile market with which operators can enhance customer service, increase revenue from existing services and explore new revenue streams. We are thrilled to be working with Gemplus that has a strong reputation as an expert in smart card and SIM card technology."

"The objective of the SIM'Xplore partners program is to develop innovative SIM-based end-user applications to ultimately bring operators closer to their customers. Combining Gemplus' smart card technology and PrivaCom's expertise in roaming solutions, we are able to develop a solution with a clear added value for operators, said Jerome Nadel, Vice President, Marketing, Gemplus Telecom Business Unit.

Come to the Gemplus booth (B19 - Palais des Congrès) or cross the Croisette to visit the Gemplus Experience Center to discover the opportunities that go beyond smart.

About Gemplus

GEMPLUS: the world's number one provider of solutions empowered by Smart Cards

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 & Sullivan). Gemplus was also awarded Frost & 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 as GEMP in the form of ADSs. Its revenue in 2002 was 787 million Euros. It employs 5766 people in 37 countries throughout the world.

Gemplus: Beyond Smart
www.gemplus.com

About PrivaCom 

PrivaCom in Gouda is a Dutch technology company that develops innovative solutions for the mobile communications industry. One of the first solutions developed by PrivaCom is SIM Controlled Calling (SCC). With this application which is embedded in the SIM card of the mobile phone, mobile operators are able to increase the average revenue per user (ARPU) and to enhance the ease-of-use of mobile communications by offering the same services anywhere in the world, regardless of the network the customer is using. PrivaCom has a worldwide patent on this advanced technology. SCC was awarded 'Best GSM Technical Innovation 2001' by the GSM Association. 
For more information: www.privacom.com

PrivaCom B.V. shareholders are amongst others Venture Capital firms Archand Capital Investments, Precede Capital Partners, NPM Capital, OFR and Twinning.

Contacts

Simone Fredriksz
PrivaCom B.V.
Phone: +31 (0)182 696300
simone.fredriksz@privacom.com

Matt Peacock 
Director of External Relations, 3 
Direct line +44 (0) 20 7010 9312 
Mobile number +44 (0) 7973 159 550 
www.three.co.uk

Evelien van Dongen
Lammers van Toorenburg Benelux PR
+31 (0)30 6565 070
evelien@lvtpr.nl

Jane Strachey
Press Relations Manager
Gemplus Telecom
Tel +33 (0) 442364661
Jane.strachey@gemplus.com

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