STMicroelectronics and FIME Announce the First Calypso Transport-Card Compliant with Global Payment Standards

GENEVA, Nov. 10, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- STMicroelectronics (NYSE: STM), a global leader serving customers across the spectrum of electronics applications and a leading supplier of secure microcontrollers, and FIME, a renowned consulting and market integration testing service for secure chip-based applications and devices, have validated the compliance of ST's Calypso electronic ticketing chip with the EMV® Level 1 Radio Frequency (RF) test. This certification confirms that the ticketing chip is the first to market that supports both transport and payment applications.

ST's secure microcontroller is compliant with the new set of EMV Contactless Communication Protocol V2.0.1 Specifications for payment systems used for banking cards and terminal certification. The new specifications describe the minimum functions required for Proximity Integrated Circuit Cards (PICCs) and Proximity Coupling Devices (PCDs) to ensure correct operation and market interoperability.

FIME, which performs certification testing of contactless cards and readers to EMV Specifications, undertook the required independent evaluation to validate ST's secure microcontroller. Today, FIME is the only laboratory to provide a contactless RF test bench officially qualified by EMVCo, the EMV standards body collectively owned by American Express, JCB, MasterCard and Visa.

"In testing ST's secure microcontroller for compliance with EMV Contactless Specification, we have applied the breadth of FIME's testing expertise. The test results recognize the robustness and suitability of ST's chip to ensure security in global credit-card financial transactions," said Vincent Poty, Head of Strategy and Corporate Development at FIME.

The recently announced CD21-Rev3 secure microcontroller already supports the latest version of the popular Calypso ticketing standard that is used in more than 90 million travel cards for mass-transit networks worldwide. Now that the chip has also achieved the PICC analog-test validation, it has been proven suitable for use in secure payment transactions, extending its field of application.

"The compliance of ST's secure microcontroller with EMV's global standard for authenticating credit and debit transactions advances our strategy to propose to customers the extended application use of our secure microcontrollers, which are now suited to more than just transportation," said Marie-France Florentin, General Manager, Secure Microcontrollers Division at STMicroelectronics. "The use of these secure microcontrollers in credit-card transactions will provide secure identity recognition and reduce costs tied to theft for financial institutions and businesses."

ST and FIME have taken a significant step forward in providing the capabilities for more reliable services that deliver secure transactions to the ever increasing number of credit card holders and merchants who require the latest and most assured protection against illegal activities.

About STMicroelectronics

STMicroelectronics is a global leader serving customers across the spectrum of electronics applications with innovative semiconductor solutions. ST aims to be the undisputed leader in multimedia convergence and power applications leveraging its vast array of technologies, design expertise and combination of intellectual property portfolio, strategic partnerships and manufacturing strength. In 2010, the Company's net revenues were $10.35 billion. Further information on ST can be found at www.st.com. 

About FIME

FIME is an independent global leader in consulting and integration testing services for smart devices and secure chip-based applications within the telecom, e-payment, transport, e-identity and logistic sectors. Its international team works with manufacturers, banks and authorities within these markets throughout the research and development lifecycle to provide expertise on sector requirements, functional and security features and industry regulation.

Since 1995, FIME has established global ISO 17025 accredited laboratories which provide official testing and certification services to validate a solution's compliance and security before launch. FIME's technical ability ensures a customer's solution is secure, interoperable and achieves the highest level of industry standardisation.

With over 200 employees and operating across America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, India and Asia, FIME has worked with leading international schemes such as American Express, First Data, JCB, MasterCard and Visa to bring pioneering and convenient chip-based services to end users. www.fime.com

For more information, visit http://www.fime.com

® EMV is a registered trademark in the U.S., and is an unregistered trademark in other countries, owned by EMVCo. 

SOURCE STMicroelectronics