Singapore-based smart card innovator NovoFlex has announces Secure
Authenticable Identification Laminates (sAiL), a patented, groundbreaking
new process that redefines how integrated circuit (IC) chips will be embedded
into SIM cards currently used in the telecommunications sector. Novoflex is
partnering with smart card manufacturer Eastcompeace in India and CIPTA in
Indonesia to implement the IC chip in SIM cards issued by major mobile
operators in those countries.
The process departs from traditional
methods of manufacturing SIM cards, by eliminating two major steps – module
packaging and module embedding. The flexible form factor of sAiL – which
comes as a thin plastic foil – also allows it to be integrated into a range of
everyday objects.
Combined with fact that the process
requires less gold to be utilised across all process steps, this new technology
leads to significant savings for card manufacturers. As the process is
compatible with existing card manufacturing machines, sAiL can be
immediately integrated into current smartcard assembly processes.
Rajnish Giri, Managing Director of
Eastcompeace India Pvt Ltd, said: “Eastcompeace prides itself on being an early
adopter of innovative new technologies and processes. sAiL demonstrates
a remarkable leap forward in the production process of SIM cards. We are also
excited about the possibilities of sAiL beyond the
telecommunications sector.”
CIPTA CEO Steven Chandra said: “Our
mission at CIPTA is to harness innovation to empower ordinary individuals.
Driven by innovation, in the last few years, applications for smart cards have
proliferated across industries. Technologies such as sAIL are a game
changer, and we are glad to be working with strategic partners such as NovoFlex
to help us to envision a brighter, bolder future.”
The process has been successfully
patented in 20 countries, with more countries pending, and has already garnered
interest from major SIM card vendors across the globe. While initial demand for
sAIL is expected from the telecommunications sector, NovoFlex is already
working with key industry players to apply the sAiL technology to banking
cards and is confident that its usage will expand to transportation and
Internet of Things (IoT) in the near future.
CEO of NovoFlex, Dr. Eric Ng, said: “Our mission at NovoFlex is
to provide the enabling technologies to make objects smarter. sAiL allows
for secure authentication, and while the immediate application is in
telecommunications, the flexibility of this technology enables us to envision
possibilities much broader than that. We are very proud to introduce this new
technology in India and Indonesia, through our partners, and hope to expand
very quickly beyond telecoms.”
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