Verizon Gets Smart Cards for LTE from G&D

Verizon Wireless, the leading mobile phone operator in the United States, has recently announced that it has selected Giesecke & Devrient (G&D) to supply it with special Java-based SIM cards for its Long Term Evolution (LTE) mobile broadband network. The solutions that the carrier will receive from the company, a technology leader in smart cards, are part of the G&D SkySIM product line and will support LTE technology, while being expected to offer Verizon Wireless the possibility to deliver revolutionary data services for users of its future 4G LTE wireless broadband network.

According to the mobile phone carrier, it has selected G&D to provide it with Java-based SIM cards thanks to the company's leading position among suppliers of security solutions for telecommunications operators all over the world. In addition, G&D has proved that its products and services offer high quality, and that it can provide customers with superior support, these being also key factors that influenced Verizon Wireless’ decision.

Kyle Malady, vice president of product development for Verizon Wireless, said, “As we build the global LTE ecosystem, we selected G&D for its demonstrated ability to quickly bring these advanced SIM cards and services to market.” Commenting on the announcement, Dr. Klaus Vedder, head of telecommunications at G&D, stated, “G&D developed the first SIM cards over 20 years ago and actively led the advancement of card technology for each generation since. We are excited to work with Verizon Wireless to bring this new fourth generation of network services to its subscribers.”

As many of you might already know, Verizon Wireless has already started work on the deployment of the next-generation LTE-based network, and it announced that it would enhance the 700 MHz spectrum for LTE roll-out, in a move targeted at deploying a high-quality wireless broadband network that is expected to offer great coverage to its users.