Europe France : INSIDE Contactless announced that its MicroRead NFC chip has been selected to equip all mobile phones and devices involved in KTF’s NFC mobile payment project.

KTF intends to enable mobile phones for its demonstration of UICC Card-based mobile payment as part of the GSMA’s “Pay Buy Mobile” project initiative.

This new trial is transforming mobile phones into contactless mobile payment devices, serving for transport and small purchases across Korea. Users will be able to benefit from loyalty and other promotional programs based on the “SmartPoster” (contactless interactive poster) format, currently greatly expanding all over the world.

On a first basis, 200 MicroRead chips have been delivered to LG Electronics and Samsung Electronics to equip both manufacturers’ NFC phones. A further 500 units will follow, depending upon future developments of the contactless enabled mobile phones. During the launch phase of the project, these MicroRead equipped mobile phones will be launched as the first steps of the project.

“Our choice of the MicroRead to power the “Pay Buy Mobile” project was driven by the technical and performance advantages of the product. We enjoy a sound working relationship with INSIDE and are pleased to partner for this key market segment,” comments Dr. Heon Moon Lim, Vice President of Handset Strategy Office of KTF.

Juliano Yoon, Vice President of Sales for Korea and Japan at INSIDE Contactless declares,” The selection of INSIDE for this project clearly demonstrates that the market is effectively taking off around the globe. It confirms that INSIDE is a leading player on the contactless market place, and we are very happy to demonstrate all the expertise and know-how of the company for this type of pilot project,” he pursues.

KTF’s choice for INSIDE has been made on the basis of the current availability of INSIDE’s technology, its compliance with the ETSI standard (Europe Telecommunications Standards Institute) being another key element in the decision.

The initiative is a new sign that will contribute to demonstrate all the perspectives of the NFC and contactless technologies, and that confirms the trend showing they will deeply modify the way people interact with their environment.

INSIDE Contactless, essential patent owner for NFC technology, today is embedded in more than 10 different mobile phone devices, in payment terminals, and other electronics consumer devices, and is considered by users as a facilitator for their daily transactions in a wide number of areas.