World First: Schlumberger New Smart Card Brings Global Roaming to CDMA and Paves the Way to 3G
Business Wire ~ June 13, 2000 ~ 3:28 pm EST
HONG KONG--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 13, 2000--Schlumberger (NYSE:SLB) announces the world's first Smart Card Subscriber Identity Module (SIM), which will bring global roaming to Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) subscribers and enable operators to exploit the opportunities for the value-added services marketplace for current CDMA (IS-95A/B) and third-generation (3G) CDMA terminals.
With 57 million users worldwide, more than half of them in the Asia-Pacific region, CDMA is a key mobile communications technology. The new Java SIM -- Simera Airflex -- delivers new levels of freedom for subscribers and new revenue streams and services for CDMA and GSM operators through global roaming supported by the new generation of CDMA SIM-enabled handsets. Developed in partnership with QUALCOMM Incorporated (Nasdaq:QCOM), pioneer and world leader of CDMA digital wireless technology, the Simera Airflex positions Schlumberger as a leading smart card solutions provider for the converging mobile technologies marketplace.
Simera Airflex is the first card to meet the new Removable User Identity Module (R-UIM) CDMA SIM standard, which, in addition to being used on existing IS-95A/B handsets, opens the migration path to the use of SIM cards in the 3G evolution for CDMA terminals. All subscriber information, including phone books, network settings and privileges are stored on the Simera Airflex. CDMA subscribers travelling to countries using different networks -- such as GSM -- simply remove the SIM and plug it into another handset to gain instant access to the new network.
Simera Airflex also brings additional levels of security to the CDMA environment, providing the foundation for future m-commerce applications and opening new business markets. Simera Airflex provides the platform for porting existing GSM SIM Toolkit applications and delivering the future generation of advanced CDMA value added services based on a UIM Toolkit. This will allow CDMA operators to capitalize on and tap into the most widespread digital standards in the world, with subscribers in more than 142 countries.
"As the first SIM card to meet the R-UIM standard, Simera Airflex underlines our commitment to delivering smart-card-based solutions that will maximize business opportunities for our customers," said Oliver Piou, president Schlumberger Smart Cards. "Our roaming portfolio now extends to CDMA, TDMA, and GSM, enabling telecom operators to capitalize fully on the global footprint of major mobile networks to build loyalty, reduce churn, and introduce value-added services."
"The acceptance of the R-UIM standard will facilitate the rapid development and deployment of existing and next-generation CDMA handsets with a portable subscriber's identity enabling global roaming and access to a range of advanced smart-card services," said Luis Pineda, vice president of product management for QUALCOMM CDMA Technologies. "In Schlumberger, we have a partner who shares our commitment to provide the marketplace with the most complete CDMA solutions available."
R-UIM is the new CDMA SIM standard, endorsed by the CDMA Development Group ( CDG), the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) and the 3G Partnership Project 2 (3GPP2). QUALCOMM's Mobile Station Modem (MSM(TM)) chipset and system software provides a simple interface to the SIM card, giving CDMA handset manufacturers a low cost, fast track solution to market for the new generation of R-UIM-enabled handsets. Close cooperation between QUALCOMM and Schlumberger will make R-UIM support available in the rollout of QUALCOMM's new MSM chipsets, system software and development platforms to handset manufacturers in June 2000.
Simera Airflex is the latest member of the Simera family of Java-compatible SIMs. Designed for interoperability, they give operators the most competitive platform for today's mobile services, while enabling them to plan and build new generations of services to take advantage of emerging technologies.
About Qualcomm
Qualcomm CDMA Technologies (QCT) is the leading developer and supplier of CDMA chipsets, hardware and software solutions and tools with more than 100 million MSM chips shipped worldwide. QCT supplies chipsets to the world's leading CDMA handset and infrastructure manufacturers including: Acer Peripherals, Inc., ALPS ELECTRIC CO., LTD.; CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD.; DENSO CORPORATION; FUJITSU LIMITED; Hitachi Ltd.; Hyundai Electronics Industries Co., Ltd.; KYOCERA CORPORATION; LG Information and Communications, Ltd.; Samsung Electronics Ltd.; SANYO Electric Co., Ltd.; and Toshiba Corporation, among others.
Qualcomm Incorporated (www.qualcomm.com) is a leader in developing and delivering innovative digital wireless communications products and services based on the Company's CDMA digital technology. The Company's business areas include integrated CDMA chipsets and system software; technology licensing; Eudora(R) email software for Windows(R) and Macintosh(R) computing platforms; satellite-based systems including portions of the Globalstar(TM) system and wireless fleet management systems, OmniTRACS(R) and OmniExpress(TM). Qualcomm owns patents which are essential to all of the CDMA wireless telecommunications standards that have been adopted or proposed for adoption by standards-setting bodies worldwide. Qualcomm has licensed its essential CDMA patent portfolio to more than 75 telecommunications equipment manufacturers worldwide. Headquartered in San Diego, Calif., Qualcomm is included in the S&P 500 Index and is a 2000 FORTUNE 500(R) company traded on The Nasdaq Stock Market(R) under the ticker symbol QCOM.
About Schlumberger
Schlumberger is the leading provider of smart card-based solutions worldwide. Drawing on 20 years experience in pioneering smart card innovations, Schlumberger is continuing to evolve the new generation of smart cards, parking terminals, ticketing machines, payphones, banking terminals, servers, software, applications and systems integration that will play a key role in the 21st century's digital age. Additional information is available at http:// www.slb.com/smartcards.
Schlumberger Test & Transactions provides smart card-based solutions; semiconductor equipment and services; and corporate IP and network solutions to customers throughout the world. It is a business unit of Schlumberger Limited, an $8.4 billion global technology services company.
Note to Editors: Simera and Simera Airflex are trademarks of Schlumberger. Qualcomm, OmniTRACS and Eudora are registered trademarks, and MSM and OmniExpress are trademarks of Qualcomm Incorporated. Globalstar is a trademark of Loral Qualcomm Satellite Services, Incorporated. Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corp. Macintosh is a registered trademark of Apple Computer Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
CONTACT: Schlumberger Public Relations
Emily Hall, 408/586-6553
ehall@san-jose.tt.slb.com
15:10 EDT JUNE 13, 2000 |
