Multi-application MIFARE smartcards make it possible to do lots of things with
a single card. The
Rabbit card in Bangkok
, for example, lets people pay for transport, access their offices and
participate in retail loyalty programs. And the Mobilis card, in Valencia, Spain, lets you use one card for transport, bike rentals, tourism programs and
identification.
Now there’s a way to extend the reach of multi-application smartcards.
Think of it as a smarter smart card – otherwise known as your phone. Any
smartphone equipped with Near Field Communication (NFC) is already compatible
with the existing MIFARE infrastructure, so it can be used with any
multi-application MIFARE system that’s already in place. Simply tap
your NFC-enabled smart card against the MIFARE reader, the same way you would
tap your multi-application smartcard against the reader, and you’re
done. Ride the bus, enter a museum, pass through the security checkpoint at
work, or present your health card – it’s all possible with your
phone.
MIFARE4Mobile makes it possible
Giving an NFC-enabled phone the ability to behave as a multi-application
MIFARE smartcard is made easier with a new programming interface, called
MIFARE4Mobile. It’s a single, interoperable programming interface that
helps mobile network operators, trusted service managers and service
providers manage MIFARE-based services on NFC mobile devices. The interface is
under the domain of the MIFARE4Mobile Industry Group, which is made up of
leading players in the NFC ecosystem, including Gemalto, Giesecke+Devrient, NXP, Oberthur Technologies and STMicroelectronics.With
MIFARE4Mobile, you can remotely provision and manage MIFARE-based services in
the embedded secure elements and SIM cards of mobile devices. MIFARE4Mobile
supports Over-The-Air (OTA) updates, so services providers can access MIFARE
resources in a secure element in a trusted and consistent way. It also renders
card content on the phone screen in a convenient and flexible way, for a
consistent user experience, and provides full interoperability with other card
formats.
Even more advantages
Extending a multi-application service to include NFC-enabled smartphones lets
you add app-based interactions and services. The app can provide access to
extra information, like daily deals and members-only offers, or more services,
like topping up a transport card or spending loyalty points. Having a user
interface also makes it easier to configure preferences, update information,
or respond to offers, for a more personal, more interactive experience. Using
the phone, instead of a card, is a greener solution, too, since it saves on
the cost and waste of issuing individual cards.
There are a few things to keep in mind if you’re thinking of adding
smartphones to a multi-application MIFARE set-up. First, to take variations
into account, be sure to specify each handset model and Operating System (OS)
version you’re going to support. It’s important to do more than
just replicate the key function, since offering value-added features is more
likely to draw people to the new service. As always, a well-executed
promotional campaign can help drive acceptance and maximize investment.
Get the details
MIFARE and MIFARE4Mobile are registered trademarks of NXP Semiconductors
N.V.
