14 DAY TRIAL // Research In Motion (RIM) has just announced it will work with EnStream LP, a joint venture of Bell, Rogers and TELUS, to provide its Secure Element Manager (SEM) solution to securely manage credentials on handsets in Canada that support Near Field Communication (NFC) services.
RIM's SEM solution will be compatible with all mobile devices, including Android, Windows Phone and BlackBerry smartphones, and has been especially developed to manage credentials on SIM (subscriber identity module) cards installed in these mobile devices.
“RIM is very pleased to play a key role in this Canadian mobile payments solution. Working with EnStream, we're delivering a service that will enable speed, security and convenience in mobile, contactless payment. RIM's SEM solution will help deliver mobile payments and other NFC services to all carriers across all handset platforms that support NFC technology in Canada,” said Andrew MacLeod, managing director for Canada at RIM.
According to RIM, the new solution will provide financial entities across the country with a single gateway that will allow them to support just about any customer that owns an NFC-enabled smartphone and wants to take advantage of the “mobile wallet” app.
It is also worth mentioning that the entire infrastructure that will securely manage info credentials for NFC mobile payments will be provided by RIM.
“For banks and for Canadian consumers, RIM's SEM solution is designed to make payment with your smartphone both seamless and secure. Whether you're filling your gas tank, picking up a coffee, or buying groceries, making a purchase will be as simple as tapping your smartphone,” concluded MacLeod.
RIM is one of the first companies to include NFC (Near Field Communication) technology inside its smartphones.
For the time being, most BlackBerry 7 smartphones, including the BlackBerry Bold series and select BlackBerry Curve smartphones, are shipped with NFC technology onboard.