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 2008, two 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.

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. This amendment enables application providers to confidentially and independently manage applications while using a third party communication network. The third party network could be an OTA platform operator compliant with ETSI specifications.
• 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, GSMA, Mobey Forum, Mobile Payments Forum, Open Mobile Alliance and the Open Mobile Terminal Platform.

2008 Activities and Priorities:

• To develop the UICC Configuration requirements for GlobalPlatform in collaboration with the Card Committee. This document will provide a detailed description of a UICC implementation in accordance with the GlobalPlatform Card Specification and ETSI Smart Card Platform specifications.
• To develop the Contactless Services Amendment to the GlobalPlatform Card Specification v2.2, in collaboration with the Card Committee, to support new requirements related to contactless and Near Field Communication (NFC) technology. The main objective is to facilitate the deployment of contactless applications and services in a Secure Element (regardless of its form i.e. UICC, embedded chip etc) located in a mobile handset. The multi Secure Elements aspects of this work will be carried out by a Secure Element sub-Task Force.