3 UK selects Gemplus Over The Air (OTA) platform

Cannes, 18 February 2003: 3 UK today announced an agreement with Gemplus (Paris Euronext: Euroclear 5768 and NASDAQ: GEMP), the world's leading provider of smart card solutions, for the supply of an Over The Air Platform and USIM cards for 3 multimedia communication services in the UK.

The OTA platform, GemConnect OTA, will enable 3 to administer USIM cards, by remotely managing application uploads and downloads. In addition, 3 will be able to configure 3G handsets remotely, creating painless set up for services such as e-mail and MMS.

In parallel, 3 UK will be working with Gemplus under the terms of a contract to provide USIM cards with related products and services. With both USIM and SIM applications, GemXplore 3G is backwards-compatible, enabling 3 customers to use both GSM and UMTS services. Features such as Dynamic Memory Management will be critical for managing and increasing the life cycle of the card. 

Keith Bradley, Commercial Director, 3 UK, said: "Based on our requirements, Gemplus was the clear choice for our OTA platform, they offered the best combination of product features and support. The Gemplus OTA platform is an acknowledged market leader and we're pleased to be working with them in this important phase of our development."

"Building customer centric solutions is at the core of Gemplus' strategy for 3G. We aim to support our clients in the roll out of mobile data services while simultaneously simplifying access to new data services for their end-users. The use of OTA technology means that there is a hassle-free set-up for the customer - they can simply plug and play" said, Alex Mandl, CEO, Gemplus, "To be chosen as a supplier by 3 is a clear validation of our continuing leadership in the next generation of mobile solutions."

Come to the Gemplus booth (B19 - Palais des Congrès) or cross the Croisette to visit the Gemplus Experience Center to discover the opportunities that go beyond smart.

About GemConnect OTA 

GemConnect OTA enables operators to remotely manage SIM/USIM cards and deploy STK and Java TM applications over the air, removing the need to re-issue cards. 

Via SMS, GPRS and internet channels, GemConnect OTA is designed to deliver new mobile services in a data environment as a first step on the road to 3G. Not only capable of managing SIM/USIMs in the field post-issuance, GemConnect OTA enables operators to remotely and securely configure handsets facilitating end-user acceptance.

About GemXplore 3G 

This is a Java-based Universal Subscriber Identity Module smart card for UMTS networks. It is based on a flexible architecture (UICC - Universal Integrated Circuit card) that can support many applications simultaneously, such as USIM, SIM for GSM, R-UIM for CDMA, EMV and loyalty applications. By incorporating both USIM and SIM applications, the card is backwards compatible enabling roaming between GSM and UMTS.

About 3 

Hutchison 3G UK Limited will deliver third-generation mobile multimedia and communications services under the 3 brand in the UK, offering a convergence of media, information and telephony to enable live video calls, multimedia content and entertainment while on the move. 

3 services will be available from sister companies in Australia, Austria, Denmark, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Israel and Sweden.

For further information, please visit: www.three.co.uk

About Gemplus

GEMPLUS: the world's number one provider of solutions empowered by Smart Cards

Gemplus helps its clients offer an exceptional range of portable, personalized solutions that bring security and convenience to people's lives. These include mobile Internet access, inter-operable banking facilities, e-commerce, and a wealth of other applications. Gemplus is the only completely dedicated, truly global player in the Smart Card industry, with the largest R&D team, unrivalled experience, and an outstanding track record of technological innovation. In 2001, Gemplus was the worldwide smart card leader in both revenue and total smart card shipments (source: Gartner-Dataquest, Frost & Sullivan). Gemplus was also awarded Frost & Sullivan's 2002 Market Value Award for its exceptional performance.

Gemplus trades its shares on Euronext Paris S.A. First Market and on the NASDAQ Stock Market as GEMP in the form of ADSs. Its revenue in 2002 was 787 million Euros. It employs 5766 people in 37 countries throughout the world.

Gemplus: Beyond Smart
www.gemplus.com

Contacts

tel 020 7010 9312
media@three.co.uk

Matt Peacock 
Director of External Relations, 3 
Direct line +44 (0) 20 7010 9312 
Mobile number +44 (0) 7973 159 550 
www.three.co.uk

Jane Strachey
Press Relations Manager
Gemplus Telecom
Tel +33 (0) 442364661
Jane.strachey@gemplus.com

©2003 Gemplus. All rights reserved. Gemplus and the Gemplus logo are trademarks and service marks of Gemplus and are registered in certain countries. All other trademarks and service marks, whether registered or not in specific countries, are the property of their respective owners. Sun, Java and Java Card are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sun Microsystems, Inc. in the United States and other countries.