De La Rue Card Systems has extended its lead in the delivery of solutions for mobile banking convergence with the announcement of new ground-breaking trials with two of Europe's leading financial organisations and cellular phone networks.
Pilot schemes with Barclaycard and Cellnet in the UK, and France Telecom and Cartes Bancaires in France, have consolidated De La Rue's position as the leading SIM card provider and driving force behind secure mobile banking.
One of the world's leading suppliers of smart cards, De La Rue brings its heritage in banking and expertise in providing innovative solutions to offer a host of new value added services to banks, GSM operators and their customers.
In the United Kingdom, Barclaycard and Cellnet have introduced the first consumer trial of 'mobile electronic cash machines' using De La Rue's SIMphonIC™ SIM Toolkit solution, a customised Motorola mobile phone and m-Commerce™ server software from Logica. The trial will enable 1,000 customers to download e-cash over Cellnet's GSM network on to their Barclaycard by inserting it into a Motorola StarTAC™ mobile phone. Customers can also use the card as part of the on-going Visa Cash UK trial in Leeds.
To use the new mobile electronic cash machine, a Barclaycard with the added Visa Cash functionality is inserted into a Motorola StarTAC mobile phone. The phone then asks the user to enter the 'withdrawal' required, up to a limit of £50, and a bank PIN for security, as with any normal cash dispenser. The e-cash is then deposited onto the Barclaycard via the Cellnet GSM network, and debited from the user's account, in under a minute. Customers can also check their credit card details, and download e-cash at anytime and in any place where they can use their Cellnet GSM mobile phone. The trial will be rolled out from April 1999.
The whole Mobile Cash service trial has been certified by Visa to ensure the maximum security for customers' financial and account information.
John Eaton, managing director at Barclaycard said: "This is the third innovative mobile telephony product that has emerged from our partnership with Cellnet. This new service builds on the success of the mobile phone launched in 1997 that allowed customers access to their Barclays Bank and Barclaycard accounts. We are pleased to be working with Cellnet and three of the UK's leading technology companies to bring mobile cash machines to the marketplace."
Cellnet's managing director Peter Erskine commented: "Withdrawing e-cash over your mobile may seem a futuristic idea - but within five years it will be commonplace. We're delighted that our relationship with Barclaycard has yielded yet another world first."
Commenting on Visa's role, Jon Prideaux, Visa's executive vice president for new products said: "Visa is committed to fulfilling the promise of chip technology, providing real flexibility and convenience to consumers. A cash machine in your pocket really does represent the ultimate in convenience. Downloading Visa Cash via a mobile phone means that you will always be able to obtain the right change for the car park or a bus fare. Today Barclaycard and Cellnet have brought us a step closer to achieving this goal."
In France, France Telecom Mobiles has developed the first mobile commerce service using De La Rue's SIMphonIC™ SIM Toolkit card and Motorola's StarTAC™ D mobile phone.
Following an initial trial during the second quarter of 1999, France Telecom Mobiles customers will be able to make secure transactions for goods and services such as gifts and travel scheme tickets 'over the air' to merchants. By conforming to Cartes Bancaires security specifications, De La Rue's SIMphonIC card will provide users with enhanced functionality, convenience and peace of mind.
Didier Quillot, Sales Director of France Telecom Mobiles explains, "Thanks to this new service, our customers will be able to use their mobile phone for access to day to day goods and services. This mobile commerce service reflects the future of convergence between mobile and banking services."
Yves Randoux, Administrator of the Cartes Bancaires Group adds, "With this mobile commerce solution, we are offering a new method of payment to our 33 million CB credit card holders. The credit card proves its capacity to adapt to all methods of commerce, including the most modern distribution channels, and by integrating De La Rue's SIMphonIC card and using PIN codes we are able to provide the highest levels of security and integrity of transactions."
Christophe Dolique, Business Director GSM, De La Rue Card Systems, concludes, "By establishing a leadership position in SIM Toolkit applications based on Java card technology, we are able to make mobile commerce a reality today. The card is seen as the essential link between operator, subscriber and bank, ensuring a secure dialog throughout."
Joachim Hoffmann, Director - Mobile Commerce Business, Motorola Cellular Subscriber Group, EMEA, "Motorola is one of the worldwide leaders in telecommunications and has created StarTAC D to bring together the world of mobile phones and smart cards to offer new mobile services to smart card holders."
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