Smart card provider Sagem Orca introduces the NFC Single Wire Protocol (SWP) enabled SIM card, developed in partnership with mobile operator Orange for the latter's specific needs.

Sagem Orca and Orange cooperated  in a 15-month project to create a SIM card that will enable Orange customers to use contactless technology to make mobile payments. The card can be used for mobile transaction services in transport, payment or loyalty programs. For transportation functionality, the SIM card is based on Calypso technology, which includes interoperability thanks to a Java applet, and can be administered completely through GlobalPlatform mechanisms such as Secure Channel Protocol. For payments, Sagem has already loaded and tested a global payment application. The card supports battery off mode, ensuring that the end user has full control of all offered services even if batteries are empty.

SWP is a new interface that defines the communication of a Universal Integrated Circuit Card (UICC or SIM card) with a Near Field Communication chip in the handset. In November, the global trade association for mobile operators GSMA recommended that mobile phone manufacturers integrate full NFC functionality into commercially available mobile phones from mid-2009. The GSMA supports the need for the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI)-SWP standard to provide the interface between the UICC and the embedded NFC chipset within the handset.