SmartTrust validates new high-speed SIM provisioning technology on 3G network
SmartTrust BIP Controller makes communication link between mobile operator and SIM card x20 faster than traditional methods
SmartTrust has announced the launch of the SmartTrust BIP (Bearer Independent Protocol) Controller and its successful validation in a Scandinavian 3G network. The SmartTrust BIP Controller makes communication between a mobile operator and the SIM card more than 20 times faster than traditional methods by using a TCP/IP connection over GPRS. This makes the downloading of large data files to the SIM cards (such as java applets, roaming lists and ADN phone list records) more cost effective and efficient for operators looking to manage their SIM fleet.
Opening up high speed communication protocols with the SIM card, the announcement is the result of an open industry program run by SmartTrust and supported by leading SIM vendors including Axalto, Giesecke & Devrient (G&D), I'M Technologies and Microelectronica.
Remote over-the-air communication with the SIM card, for the provisioning of SIM settings, has traditionally used SMS as the bearer technology, which although offering a universal standard was limited in its speed. Ever since the SIM Toolkit standards were extended with commands for letting the SIM communicate with a remote server using a faster bearer, development in the area has been hampered by the lack of communication protocols. By combining ETSI specifications and the TCP/IP specifications of the Internet, SmartTrust has created an optimized communication path to the SIM, opening up high speed communication and beginning the process of establishing the SmartTrust BIP Controller as the future industry standard.
"The industry has, for a long time, lacked a working standard implementation for BIP. We hope to remedy this and enable operators, handset vendors and SIM vendors to invest in BIP solutions assured that the implementation is future proof. The SmartTrust BIP Controller unleashes previously unheard of download speeds and will enable us to offer our customers the possibility of downloading large amounts of data to a SIM card that is tuned for broadband mobile networks like GPRS, EDGE and 3G", says Lars-Erik Sellin, CTO, SmartTrust.
The SmartTrust-led program is significant since it provides the basis for interoperability with full support from some of the world's leading SIM vendors.
"We are delighted to have contributed our extensive expertise in the field of Bearer Independent Protocol to this program", comments Cédric Collomb, Director Mobile Communications, Axalto. "We are glad that we have supported SmartTrust in defining an innovative solution for operators to quickly deploy or update their SIMs with large-content services over the air."
"The SmartTrust BIP Controller combines agreed Internet protocols with the telecommunication industry standard for SIM cards to create a simple and efficient solution for high-speed over-the-air access to the SIM card. We are proud to have significantly contributed to its specification and that we are one of the first to have implemented the BIP Controller application on a (U)SIM, says Dr. Klaus Vedder, Head of the Telecommunications division at G&D.
"We are pleased that our ATRIUM Java (U)SIM card worked successfully with the SmartTrust BIP controller. This shows our readiness to provision mobile operators with advanced technology that is capable of pushing more enticing mobile content to subscribers and achieving a positive impact on revenue," says William Chang, Chief Technology Officer of I'M Technologies Ltd.
"We welcome SmartTrust's initiative to standardize its BIP Controller and we hope that a critical mass of handsets supporting BIP will be reached very soon for the benefit of the entire mobile telephony industry", adds Alberto Pérez, Telecom Commercial Director, Microelectrónica Española.
During the validation 3 kbit/s were achieved, a speed more than 20 times faster than traditional SMS based methods.
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