Baltimore Technologies, AU-System and Gemplus Deliver World’s First Digital Signature Over Next Generation Wireless Networks
HANNOVER, Germany — Three leading wireless solution providers, Baltimore Technologies (NASDAQ:BALT – news; LSE:BLM.), AU-System (SSE:AUS.), and Gemplus (NASDAQ:GEMP – news), today announced the world’s first and most advanced security and authentication technologies featuring digital signatures over General Packet Radio Services (GPRS) networks.
This ground-breaking development in secure mobile commerce has been achieved in partnership with Ericsson, using the R520 handset, and will be demonstrated at the CeBIT trade show in Hannover, Germany from 22-28 March.
Security and bandwidth have been two critical success factors in the uptake of mobile commerce across the globe. GPRS provides at least four times greater bandwidth than typical GSM based connections and introduces core network changes in preparation for 3G networks. The new mobile commerce and business services require even greater security which is now being addressed jointly by Baltimore Technologies, AU-System and Gemplus.
E-security for mobile devices is provided by digital certificates, which are issued using a Wireless Public Key Infrastructure (WPKI) by network operators and content providers. These digital certificates are stored on the mobile devices using S/WIM (Subscriber Wireless Identity Module), the latest development in chip cards. The combination of WPKI and GPRS enables the provision of secure mobile services in the next generation mobile market.
According to Bo Albertson, Marketing Director Communications, Ericsson Mobile Communications, “Ericsson regards mobile e-commerce as one of the exiting new applications enabled by the combination of sufficient security level in the phone and the greatly enhanced data transmission rates offered by GPRS. This project gives powerful proof of the phone becoming a personal trusted device allowing for new exciting services and applications and we are very pleased to participate with the R 520 handset.”
“GPRS allows customers to access more data-enriched services with the added benefits of ‘always on, faster download’,” stated John Fallon, Director of Wireless at Baltimore Technologies. “This combined offering from three leading wireless solution providers makes available a comprehensive integrated security solution in tandem with the launch of 2.5G networks this year across the world.”
“This is a major break-through in wireless security, which is becoming increasingly important as GPRS and 3G networks are enabling new mobile applications,” says Christer Bjork, Business Area Manager at AU-System. “The solution is a great example of how AU-System, together with leading mobile vendors, can create viable solutions based on emerging technologies and enable a fast time-to-market.”
“The availability of secure and trusted solutions will be a major contribution to the success of m-commerce. Gemplus has leading experience in S/WIM cards and thanks to this partnership, takes wireless networks to new levels of security forging a Bond of Trust between consumers, financial institutions and mobile operators,” said Patrick Imbert, Mobile Commerce Director, Gemplus.
The solution has been developed based on cutting-edge technologies from a consortium of leading vendors within the mobile communications industry, Baltimore Telepathy wireless e-security from Baltimore Technologies, GemXploreTM Trust S/WIM cards from Gemplus and consultancy services from AU-System, to achieve a complete end-to-end security solution based on the latest WPKI and WIM standards
About GPRS
GPRS is a major step on the road towards 3G networks utilising an Internet Protocol IP backbone and packet based communication and thus is often referred to as 2.5G. Bandwidth is significantly greater than traditional GSM networks opening up a far greater range of services for mobile users, all of which require enhanced security. Such networks offer subscribers “always on” connectivity, eliminating repetitive and time-consuming reconnections making mobile intranet services possible, such access to corporate databases and resources on the move.
About Baltimore Technologies
Baltimore Technologies develops and markets security products and services to enable companies to develop trusted, secure systems for e-business, the Internet and mobile commerce. Its products include a wide range of Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) products and services, wireless e-security solutions, cryptographic tool-kits, access control & authorization, content security (MIMEsweeper products) security applications and hardware cryptographic devices. Baltimore’s global professional services organization offers a wide variety of consulting, training and deployment support to its customers worldwide. Baltimore Technologies markets and sells its solutions worldwide directly and through the TrustedWorld partner program. TrustedWorld includes many of the world’s leading technology companies and a wide variety of global, regional and local business alliance partners.
Baltimore Technologies employs over 1200 people worldwide and operates from over 38 cities, with headquarters in Dublin, Ireland; London, UK; Boston, USA and Sydney, Australia. Baltimore Technologies plc is a public company with dual listings on NASDAQ (BALT) and the London Stock Exchange (BLM). For further information and press releases on Baltimore Technologies, please visit www.baltimore.com.
About AU-System and WAP
AU-System is an active member in the WAP Forum and has participated in the development of the WAP browser used by Ericsson in its terminals. The company also has a distributor’s agreement with Ericsson, giving AU-System the right to licence the WAP browser to other suppliers of communication devices as the AUS WAP Browser. The browser is compliant with the latest specifications from the WAP Forum and the client list includes companies like Motorola, Samsung, Compaq and LG Electronics. Apart from software licences, AU-System also offers consultancy services such as service development for mobile operators, solutions development, e.g. secure mobile banking and stock trading, and adaptation of the AUS WAP browser to various environments.
About AU-System
AU-System is a leading Mobile Internet consultancy. Through the subsidiary SandbergTrygg, the company also offers integrated services for marketing communications. Major clients include Ericsson, Telia, Scania, MeritaNordbanken and Singapore Telecom. AU-System was established in 1974 and currently employs more than 1000 staff in offices in Sweden, the U.K., Italy, the U.S., Thailand and Singapore. AU-System is listed on Attract40 of the OM Stockholm Exchange, under the symbol AUS. For more information, please visit www.ausystem.com.
About GemXplore™ Trust
GemXplore™ Trust is an enhanced SIM card with full support of Public Key Cryptography to enable end-to-end mobile transaction security. It brings the mobile phone one step closer to being our most trusted personal device. GemXplore™ Trust is a SIM/WIM card, enabling RSA-1024 bit digital signature, fully compliant with the latest WAP standards.
About Gemplus
GEMPLUS: the world’s leading smart card solutions provider Since its creation in 1988, Gemplus International S.A.(Euronext: Sicovam 5768 and NASDAQ:GEMP) has driven the global marketing and deployment of smart card-based applications for telecommunications, financial services and e-business security.
Gemplus is instrumental throughout the value chain – chip design, card management systems, software development, and consulting – delivering integrated custom-made solutions for the security, personalization and privacy management needs of clients and partners worldwide. Gemplus technology has played a defining role in the development of wireless telephony since the introduction of SIM cards into the GSM standard in 1990. For more than a decade, Gemplus has pioneered applications that enable network operators around the world to answer the changing needs of their customers. Gemplus was first to market with a 3G card and supplies a product range compliant with new and emerging transmission standards – 2.5G, 3G. In 2000, revenue was 1.205 BE, up 57% from the previous year’s 767ME. Net income was 99 ME. Gemplus employs more than 7800 people in 37 countries worldwide.
Since 11 December 2000, Gemplus shares have been trading on Euronext Paris S.A. First Market and on Nasdaq in the form of ADSs. Visit our website: http://www.gemplus.com/wireless/
Certain statements that are not historical facts including certain statements made over the course of this document may be forward-looking in nature. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance and achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements implied by such forward-looking statements.
Contact Information:
Baltimore Technologies
Evanna Kearins
Tel: +353 1 8816000
Tracy Ross
Tel: + 1 650 372 5288
Gemplus Corporate
Marielle Bricman
Tel: +33 4 42 36 55 96
AU-System AB
Christer Bjork
Tel: +46 70 638 16 01
