Nov 18, 2010 07:21 GMT  ·  By

It seems that the GSM Association is getting ready to make the first steps into the future, and the launch of an initiative to bring to mobile phones embedded SIM cards that can be remotely activated is just the thing.

According to the Association, the move should result in the development of new forms of communications.

At the same time, the new initiative should accelerate the development of M2M services through simplifying the manner in which mobile broadband can be brought to non-traditional devices, including cameras, MP3 players, navigation devices, and more.

“The traditional SIM has been an important innovation in mobile telephony, and has provided many benefits to consumers in terms of security, portability of contacts, and ease of portability of devices across networks,” said Rob Conway, CEO and Member of the Board of the GSMA.

“As our industry moves from connecting phones to connecting a wide range of devices, it is apparent that the embedded SIM could deliver even greater flexibility.

“The embedded SIM will provide assured levels of security and portability for consumers, as well as provide additional functionality for enabling new services such as e-Wallet and NFC applications.”

The GSMA-led task force that would be focused on the matter includes a series of leading wireless carriers around the world, which will work with major SIM producers.

The group includes carriers like: AT&T, China Mobile, Deutsche Telekom, France Telecom Orange, KT, NTT DOCOMO, SK Telecom, Telecom Italia, Telefonica, Verizon Wireless and Vodafone.

“The task force will analyse market requirements and deliver a technical solution as an evolution of the current SIM provisioning mechanisms. The proposed embedded SIM solution will include programmable SIM card capabilities to enable remote activation,” the GSMA announced.

The group should complete the analysis of market requirements by January 2011, the Association announced. Devices to include the solution should arrive on shelves sometime in 2012.