Tuesday, July 20, 2010

KASIKORNBANK, AIS and Gemalto bring NFC to mobile users in Thailand

AMSTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS: Gemalto, a leader in digital security, announced that it will provide its Trusted Services Management (TSM) service to support the launch of Near-Field Communication (NFC) applications in Thailand.

The service is the first pan-Asian deployment for Gemalto’s certified TSM center in Taiwan. This pioneering project has Gemalto partnering with KASIKORNBANK, the country’s second largest bank, and with Advanced Info Services (AIS), the nation’s largest telecommunications operator.

Mobile NFC opens up an entire new dimension in digital freedom for Thai consumers, transforming their mobile phones into contactless devices for touch-and-go applications, such as payment at retail outlet partners. Since starting in July 2010, selected customers simply collect their phone from KASIKORNBANK to enjoy mobile NFC services.

Gemalto is entrusted with the management and preparation of sensitive user information from KASIKORNBANK to operate secure over-the-air (OTA) personalization services that enable mobile subscribers to gain access to NFC payments and AIS services.

“With the ubiquitous nature of mobile phones, we are always looking for innovations to improve our offerings to our customers,” commented Suvit Arayawilaipong, VP, Product & Service Development, Advanced Info Service Plc. “This is the first OTA provisioning service that is offered from outside the country. It allows NFC to be deployed in Thailand smoothly and securely. With Gemalto we are working with a partner that we can trust.”

Art Wichiencharoen, senior VP of Retail and SME e-Business, KASIKORNBANK, added: “Leveraging Gemalto’s experience, we are able to make NFC payment easy to use. We have a simple user interface on the phone that guides a user to some 40 retail outlets where they can immediately perform mobile NFC payments like for food, entertainment and grocery shopping. They will appreciate this fast and fuss-free new means of payment.”

“With KASIKORNBANK and AIS we are able to bring the convenience of mobile NFC sooner and in a secure manner to Thai consumers,” stated Tan Teck-Lee, president, Gemalto Asia.

“Gemalto’s TSM services are designed to be implemented securely across national borders and this will help countries to overcome local barriers to NFC implementations. Gemalto is clearly the partner of choice, having the most extensive experience in NFC launches and numerous pilot programs active across the world.”

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