Daily Connect

Toshiba Corporation (TOKYO:6502) today announced the development of a new USIM card for use in mobile phones supporting the NFC (Near Field Communication) function, in anticipation of the worldwide rollout of mobile contactless services forecast for 2010 and 2011. Toshiba plans to release samples of the new card in the third quarter of 2009, and will exhibit the card and provide full details at the GSMA Mobile World Congress 2009, to be held in Barcelona, Spain, from February 16 through 19.

Toshiba’s newly developed USIM card meets the latest specifications of the European Telecommunications Standards Institute-Smart Card Platform (ETSI SCP) and the GSM Association (GSMA). It is also compatible with the GSMA’s Pay-Buy-Mobile programme, and offers full support for mobile contactless services, and meets all the security levels required for international payment applications.

Toshiba is able to draw on capabilities in mobile phone handsets, semiconductors and systems to deliver a lineup of newly developed USIM cards offering high value-added solutions.

Toshiharu Watanabe, Toshiba Corporate Senior Vice President and President and CEO of the Social Infrastructure Systems Company, said: “The introduction of a USIM card is a significant development for Toshiba, and with our company’s advanced mobile technology and USIM, we would like to provide new solutions to the customer. We are also excited to support the advance of the Pay-Buy-Mobile programme promoted by GSMA, based on our technological achievements in the financial Smart Card sector.”

Moving forward, Toshiba plans to complete final development of the new card by 3Q 2009, when it expects to begin provision of samples to Mobile Network Operators worldwide. With the introduction of the USIM card to the mobile market, Toshiba looks to support mobile phone users with enhanced convenience and full security, and to facilitate the successful development of NFC worldwide.