Orange announced it will deploy a new generation of SIM cards and handsets to facilitate the development of mobile contactless services. Announced at a meeting with mobile handset manufacturers held in Paris on 15 December, the new SIM cards will be introduced for postpaid offers in most of the group's European operations from the second half of 2011. The group is also working with manufacturers to ensure that over half of new smartphone models it buys will be compatible with contactless services when combined with the new, secure SIM card. Orange aims to equip at least 500,000 of its customers in France with compatible handsets by the end of 2011. Orange is working with other operators, banks, retailers, transport and service providers to create an eco-system which will stimulate the development of NFC-based contactless services. The operator already participates in the Cityzi commercial pilot running since May in Nice, France. This has attracted close to 3,000 customers, and is conducted in partnership with the French contactless mobile association AFSCM, which brings together Orange, SFR, Bouygues and NRJ Mobile. Other partners in the Cityzi project include various international standard bodies, governmental authorities, working groups and service providers. The Cityzi service will be launched commercially across France in 2011. The Player One Cityzi handset will be sold across France from January, and further handset models will follow from the spring.
