Smart cards (SIM, Banking, EMV)

Smart Cards are defined as intelligent cards with memory, multifunction and security features. One of the first industries to adopt smart cards was telecommunications, initially with prepaid memory cards still used with public phones.

In telecommunications, a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) can be defined as '..a security device which contains all the necessary information and algorithms to authenticate a subscriber to the network…' 

SIM cards have been around since early 1991 and have become the largest multi-national application based on smart cards. Currently, NamITech is able to supply, 8K, 16K, 32K, 64K and 128K SIM cards to Vodacom and approximately 30 GSM network operators across Africa.

With the approaching implementation of Europay-MasterCard-Visa (EMV) specifications, smart cards will assume a leading role in the future of banking. The capability to store multiple applications on one card has been a key driver for card issuers to turn to smart cards over the traditional bankcard. EMV aims to implement an industry-wide chip card specification. This will ensure chip cards operate with all chip-reading terminals, regardless of location, financial institution or manufacturer.

The chip modules are imported from German Shareholder, Giesecke and Devrient. The secure facility is ISO 9001 accredited, incorporating the design function. The chips are customised with technology developed in-house by NamITech's Technology and Innovations department. The facility boasts state-of-the-art equipment required for milling, embedding and personalisation of the chips. 

For further information e-mail info@namitech.com