[By NBC-1TV H. J Yook]Oberthur Technologies, a world leader in digital security solutions for the mobility space, today announced its involvement as the supplier of the latest generation of high end NFC SIM card - “dragonFly”, in the first NFC commercial project jointly launched by top operators in Russia. The project concerns public transportation payments in Kazan, Russia. It is jointly implemented by the four top mobile operators, MTS, MegaFon, Vimpelcom and Rostelecom alongside the local transport system operator.

This NFC project has been launched in order to provide the city with a solution aimed at increasing the convenience of using public transport in Kazan, and to promote its use through the introduction of non-cash fare payment via a mobile phone. In addition to the transport ticketing service, some of the operators offer subscribers a combination of transport and payment services based on NFC technology. This brings NFC services in Russia to a new level: from a single NFC service to a multiple offering.

OT participates in this project as the sole supplier of NFC SIM cards in the first phase of project with embedded transport and payment applets. The electronic transport purse released on the SIM card is compatible with the current MIFARE-based ticketing solution “Transport Card”."

This initiative will enhance user experience by reducing queues and save time, for example when a ticket is purchased with cash. In addition, when paying a transport fare with a mobile phone, the purchase is made even easier for the subscriber as no other action needs to be completed after service activation, with all actions performed automatically.

OT was chosen for its leadership in innovation and in particular, in the field of NFC technology. It has the unique ability to quickly supply end-to-end solutions, from development and production to personalisation for both telecom and banking markets. This selection makes OT the first supplier to provide commercial volumes of NFC SIM cards to all four main telecom groups in Russia.

“We are very proud to participate in this unique NFC launch in Russia with the four major Russian mobile operators, to provide modern and convenient access to public transportation for all” said Thierry Siminger, RMEA President at Oberthur Technologies. “Our NFC expertise is an undeniable asset that enables us to offer a secure and convenient service that will facilitate national adoption”.