Gemalto and NXP have entered into an agreement whereby NXP will transfer its mobile services business to Gemalto. The related unit based in Sophia Antipolis, France, will continue to develop and market software and service solutions compliant with the MIFARE4Mobile™ interface specifications, which manage MIFARE™ based applications in Near Field Communication (NFC) mobile devices. The deal is subject to regulatory approvals and labor council consultations.

MIFARE is the leading contactless technology globally, predominantly used within transportation networks, ticketing and access management applications. This strategic move by the two industry leaders aims to accelerate the global adoption of NFC technology in existing contactless infrastructures and further promotes the deployment of MIFARE.

Adding this MIFARE4Mobile software further strengthens Gemalto’s Trusted Service Manager (TSM) platform offer linking transport operators, banks and mobile phone operators, enabling the mobile phone to be used with existing payment and contactless ticketing infrastructure. The TSM notably makes the entire process of downloading tickets and subscriptions onto the cell phone more efficient and secure.

NXP will continue to invest in the development of industry-leading NFC chips fully compliant with current standards and interoperable with existing contactless infrastructure. The specifications of the MIFARE4Mobile interface and the associated intellectual property will remain in the ownership of NXP who will ensure interoperability and full availability to all market players. The company will also take a central role in evolving the MIFARE4Mobile interface specifications.