Ericsson pushes NFC market forward with a Development kit for testing applications

With the TSM development kit it’s now possible to test NFC Applications in a live controlled environment
The secure element creates a trusted environment for NFC applications
Enhances the ability to test access control, payment and ticketing applications
Ericsson (NASDAQ:ERIC) announced a development kit for its Trusted Service Manager (TSM) service. With the development kit, selected partners can remotely deploy, update and delete applications, while maintaining the same security level as in a real-life implementation through a standards-based TSM platform. This means that partners can test their applications, with actual users, even in a commercial environment. With the launch of the kit, Ericsson hopes to boost the advancement of compelling NFC applications, within access control, payment, loyalty or ticketing.

Richard Anell, Head of IPX, Ericsson, says; "We are making this development kit available to selected partners because service providers need to take their applications from the lab and Powerpoint stage to the next level. The development kit provides a true-to-life setting, not a simulation and is exactly how it would work in a commercial environment." Mr. Anell continues: "Analysts agree that in the coming years we will see exponential growth of NFC services as more and more NFC handsets become available, and operators invest in the required infrastructure. But to gain true momentum the applications must be tested, refined and optimized with consumers prior to commercial roll-out."

The development kit contains 2 Micro SD cards and Range Extenders from Device Fidelity as well as one NFC USB Reader, plus a test account on Ericsson IPX’s TSM platform. Included are software components and documentation and an example service is provided, so service providers can test the full deployment path before using their own code.

The Micro SD cards work with Android smartphones, like for instance, the Samsung Galaxy SII.

The Micro SD cards contain a Secure Element, a trusted execution environment where the partner’s application runs in NFC card emulation mode. Ericsson’s Android proxy client enables communication with the TSM platform for remote life cycle management of the secure applications through standardized web-service APIs.

Notes to editors

About Ericsson’s Trusted Service Manager

With the Ericsson Trusted Service Manager (TSM) service providers have a shortcut to the NFC ecosystem, allowing them to securely and easily distribute and manage their contactless applications remotely. The TSM is offered as a Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) and follows GlobalPlatform standards and makes it easier to offer NFC services reducing the need to integrate with each Secure Element issuer.

About Ericsson’s Internet Payment Exchange

Ericsson Internet Payment Exchange (IPX) is a global mobile commerce and connectivity enabler. As a carrier/operator payment broker with connections to more than 100 network operators, Ericsson provides delivery and charging, using direct billing, premium SMS, Web and online mobile payment. Customers include more than 1000 successful multinationals reaching consumers with high disposable incomes in many countries across the globe.