Mobile operator Orange, is collaborating with digital security firm Gemalto to rollout a SIM-based NFC solution on a large scale to enable NFC-readiness for mass deployment of mobile contactless services in France (view press release).  Orange claims to be the first operator in Europe to deploy the UpTeq NFC SIM card to customers in France, which offers the same security level as chip-based payment or smart cards.

With this initiative, Orange aims to offer service providers such as banks, transport operators and retailers a secure solution that enables them to manage the security domain in the card and load, personalise and update any related NFC applications on offer. Users of the device will be able to access a wallet of NFC applications for payments, transportation, ticketing and loyalty programmes.

"Gemalto is the first supplier we're working with for the deployment of NFC SIM cards at a national level," said Thierry Millet, VP Mobile Payments & NFC at Orange. "Gemalto's NFC solution is fully in line with our strategy to simplify and secure the use of mobile contactless services”.