Gemplus deploys "Over the Air" services for Hutchison Australia's 3G
network
This new platform for a Hutchison Group company reinforces
their continued confidence in Gemplus technology and support
Luxembourg and CommunicAsia, Singapore, 16 June 2005, Gemplus
International S.A. (Euronext: LU0121706294 - GEM and NASDAQ: GEMP), the world's
leading provider of smart card based solutions, announces the deployment of its
GemConnect OTA platform for "3 mobile" in Australia - Hutchison
Telecom's 3G network - and their first successful campaign update to over
470,000 USIM cards in 3's 3G network.
Following a national roaming arrangement with Telstra, which will result in
significantly expanded mobile coverage for 3 customers, the company needed to
update the preferred roaming network list stored within the USIM of each
subscriber. Gemplus was able to carry this out remotely without the subscriber
entering the point of sale or swapping their USIMs for an updated one, thus
significantly reducing costs for 3. GemConnect OTA creates a communication
channel between the USIM and the operator, enabling the operator to stay in
touch with its customers, update the cards with both operator and
subscriber-centric applications, and maintain a relevant service based on its
subscribers' needs. Content includes updates for preferred roaming lists,
service subscription and other data management. The benefit to the operator is
an ability to keep in touch with their subscribers while reducing the heavy
costs and hassle of frequently replacing USIMs as services evolve.
"Gemplus' Over the Air platform allowed us to enable our customers to
take advantage of improved network coverage simply, quickly and with minimal
intrusion. It's a flexible solution that ultimately benefits the customer,"
said Michael Young, Director Technology, Infrastructure and Services, Hutchison.
Gemplus is the worldwide reference for OTA services, in particular for 3G
networks, and this is part of the global agreement between Gemplus and the
Hutchison 3G group of operators.
"Since 2003, Gemplus has deployed 3G OTA services to H3G networks around
the world", said Philippe Vallée, Executive Vice President, Telecom, Gemplus.
"3 appreciates the benefits of OTA technology in terms of creating an
on-going relationship with their subscribers and making the most of the USIM's
privileged position in the hands of the end-user."
Gemplus has been present in the Australian market for many years, which was
reinforced in 2000 by setting up a local joint venture, LM Gemplus Pty Ltd.
Since then, the company has established successful long term relationships with
its clients and continues to invest in local technical support and solutions
tailored for the Australian environment. This local presence was a key factor in
their selection by 3 in Australia for this project.
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 (2005), Frost & Sullivan, Datamonitor.). It
has sold over 5 billion smart cards.
With security at its core, and 2400 patents and patent applications 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.
www.gemplus.com
About 3 mobile
3 is the first 3G network in Australia and brings you live video calling
which lets you chat face to face with 3 users whether they're across town or on
the other side of the world*.
In 3's Video Zones you'll be the one who can make video calls, experience
high-speed email, catch the latest video news updates at a bus stop, watch
sports video highlights of the weekend's footy in a taxi, get score updates of
your favourite football team at a train station, or watch movie trailers in a
supermarket queue. You can even shoot videos and email them to your friends,
have your emails read to you and play video games.
And of course, with Talk & SMS covering 96% of Australia's population you
can also do all the regular things like make voice calls and send SMS.
*Video calling, information services and some messaging services only
available in 3's Video Zone located in most parts of Sydney, Melbourne,
Brisbane, Gold Coast, Adelaide and Perth. International video calling available
to customers of 3 networks who are in their video coverage areas.
For more information: www.three.com.au
For more information, please contact:
Jane Strachey
Gemplus PR
Tel: +33 (0)442364661
e-mail:jane.strachey@gemplus.com
Helen Baker
Edelman
Tel: +44 (0)20 7344 1285
Email:
Helen.baker@edelman.com
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