ContactlessNews | Tech 101: Contactless smart cards

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

A primer on radio frequency identification

For more than two decades, the contactless card has been a key tool in managing security, access and payments. Whether it’s used to open doors, facilitate public transit ticketing or mange multiple applications, contactless has become an essential element in many environments. But how does the technology enable all these uses without ever touching a reader?

Contactless cards use radio waves of specific frequencies as carriers for communication. Bryan Ichikawa, vice president for Identity Solutions at Unisys, explains that when used for identification applications radio frequencies come in three basic categories: low frequency, high frequency and ultra-high frequency. Each has a set of ideal applications.

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Identive's tomPAY sticker turns any mobile phone into a contactless payment device

Identive Group announced tomPAY, an NFC-enabled sticker tag that can be affixed to existing mobile phones to enable contactless payments.

Based on Identive’s tom (tag on metal) smart inlay technology, tomPAY is manufactured using the same processes as an ISO PVC card. When placed on a phone, tomPAY enables contactless mobile payments in compliance with MasterCard PayPass specifications, as well as loyalty, transport ticketing and other m-commerce services.

First Data brings contactless parking meters to Poland

First Data Corporation has partnered up with the Krakow Transportation and Infrastructure Authority and City Parking Group for the introduction of parking meters equipped with contactless payments functionality in the city of Krakow, Poland.

HSBC starts roll out of contactless bank cards

HSBC announced that it will begin the conversion to contactless technology this month, replacing all customer banking debit cards, according to ThinkMoney.com.

The bank will start to roll out the new contactless cards to existing customers whose debit cards are due to expire this month and then continue the process as cards expire. Customers who don’t want a contactless card can opt out by contacting their bank before their current card expires.

OTI to deliver 30,000 NFC readers in the U.S.

On Track Innovations (OTI) has received an order for 30,000 of its NFC and contactless payment readers for deployment in the U.S.

OTI did not reveal who will receive the readers, but assured that the devices would be used to support the migration towards contactless payments and NFC in the U.S.

Comments

Firoz Permalink

December 15, 2011 3:29 AM

In term of security, Mr. Ismail says for MIFARE contactless card not for all high end cards used in application like EMVCo, eGov (e.g. ePassport). Alright? The MIFARE chips are having life span up to 10 years but card manufacturing process and other components pose the life time of the card.