Mobile Task Force

GlobalPlatform launched the Mobile Task Force in April 2007 to actively contribute to the development of mobile telecommunications standards worldwide. In excess of 20 GlobalPlatform member companies currently participate in task force activity. The task force provides input to the technical committees, concerning the specific and emerging requirements of the mobile sector, in order that the GlobalPlatform Card, Device and Systems Specifications can be expanded and updated to suit market needs.

The group's primary objectives are to facilitate new business opportunities between the mobile sector and other industries, highlight that differentiation can be achieved through multiple applications, demonstrate that various business models can be applied within one implementation and communicate that a neutral and scalable infrastructure can protect current investments relative to future technology evolutions.

Although the Mobile Task Force formalizes GlobalPlatform's activity within the sector, GlobalPlatform has worked with the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) since 1999, to standardize Over-the-Air (OTA) application download and management of applications. The result is that as of October 2009, 2.2 billion mid range USIM/SIM cards worldwide are estimated to use GlobalPlatform card technology to enable over-the-air (OTA) application downloads for 3G and GSM mobile networks and a further 200 million USIM/SIM cards utilize the entire GlobalPlatform infrastructure.

GlobalPlatform identifies the value that its technology can offer the public transport sector and as a result has created a Transportation Sub-Task Force as part of the Mobile Task Force.  The key objective of the group is to actively contribute to the evolution of smart ticketing solutions and to promote the benefits that GlobalPlatform's established technology can bring to the sector.  The group has published a white paper titled: 'GlobalPlatform's Value Proposition for the Public Transportation Industry: Seamless, Secure Travel Throughout Multiple Transportation Networks', which can be downloaded from the resource center.

Achievements to Date:

• Collaboration with the Card Committee on the development of the Confidential Card Content Management Amendment to the GlobalPlatform Card Specification v2.2 and the UICC Configuration. This amendment enables application providers to confidentially and independently manage applications while using a third party communication network.
• The provision of strategic counsel to the Device Committee relating to the release of GPD/STIP v2.3. This updated version of the GPD/STIP Specification provides increased security for devices which run multiple applications including mobile phone handsets.
• Successful outreach and collaboration with the following associations: EMVCo, GSM Association, Mobey Forum, Mobile Payments Forum, Open Mobile Alliance and the Open Mobile Terminal Platform.
• To develop a functional requirements document on managing multiple Secure Elements in one handset (upon development, this document will be made available to members only).

2010 Activities and Priorities:

• To create a certification framework based on the UICC Configuration with a collaborative industry partners initiative.
• To develop a white paper to define the systems role and messaging requirements for managing products based on the UICC Configuration.
• To define the requirements for an embedded secure element configuration.
• To finalize GlobalPlatform's understanding on managing multiple secure elements in a handset.
• To develop a white paper to illustrate implementations of GlobalPlatform technology in delivering innovative wireless services, including mobile TV and mobile payments.