Companies team on ubiquitous, secure mobile/wireless system

The chip-card-based system offers connectivity between mobile and WLANs

By John Blau

April 27, 2004 12:00 PM ET

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IDG News Service - Users of notebooks and other mobile data devices could benefit from a new chip-card-based system offering ubiquitous, secure connectivity between mobile and wireless LANs.
French telecommunications equipment manufacturer Alcatel SA, smart-card maker Gemplus International SA and Norwegian software vendor Birdstep Technology ASA agreed today to jointly develop a system that will allow portable device users to roam easily and securely between WLANs and a range of cellular networks, including those based on GSM, GPRS and WCDMA technologies.
The new system comes in response to growing user demands for greater simplicity and security in wireless roaming, especially as the number of WLAN hot spots proliferate and new third-generation networks come online, according to Gemplus spokeswoman Jane Strachey.
"Under the agreement, the three partners will package their individual areas of expertise into a smart-card-based product that provides seamless and secure wireless connectivity," Strachey said.
While Alcatel will contribute radio access technology, Gemplus will provide its smart-card-based authentication system. Birdstep brings its mobile IP client software to the table.
The three companies plan to sell the new system within the coming months to mobile operators and wireless companies that, in turn, will sell the service to their customers in both GSM and CDMA markets, according to Strachey. She provided no price points for end users.
The planned new system requires users to install the client software on their notebook computers or PDAs. Notebook users must insert a PC card with integrated Subscriber Identity Module functionality. For PDAs, the companies plan to offer SIM functionality in the form of a Universal Serial Bus key that can be plugged into the device.

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