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An Alternative Architecture for SIM-Based Mobile NFC Services

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Abstract

Near Field Communication (NFC) enables mobile handsets to perform bidirectional wireless proximity communications with other electronic devices. From an end user point of view, Mobile NFC Services (M-NFC-Ss) are expected to replace plastic cards (e.g. for payments) by bringing improved convenience and functionality. SIM cards have been used to secure the data and applications that implement M-NFC-Ss. A total of 300 commercial and pilot initiatives have been reported in 2015. However, no commercial solution has succeeded in reaching out the mass market with few exceptions in special institutional settings (e.g. Japan). Some of the explanatory factors lie in the technical architecture used. For example, GSMA recognised the need to cut as much as 75% out of its complexity. We present an alternative architecture to deploy SIM-based M-NFC-Ss, which is derived from four individual proposals: eliminate the Wallet, centralise the TSM functionality, use OTI instead of OTA, and eliminate certain technical integrations.

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Abbreviations

3GPP:

3rd Generation Partnership Project

API:

Application Programming Interface

B2B:

Business-To-Business

BIP:

Bearer Independent Protocol

CA:

Controlling Authority

CCM:

Card Content Management

CCMS:

Card Content Management Server

DA:

Device Application

DAM:

Device Application Management

DAMS:

Device Application Management Server

DI:

Device Information

DMSR:

Device and Mobile Subscription Registrar

EMV:

Europay, MasterCard, and Visa

FG:

Functional Group

GEI:

Global Eligibility Information

GSM:

Global Service Management

GSMA:

Groupe Speciale Mobile Association

GUI:

Graphical User Interface

HCE:

Host Card Emulation

HTTP:

Hypertext Transfer Protocol

ICCID:

Integrated Circuit Card IDentifier

JCOP:

Java Card Open Platform

M-NFC-S:

Mobile NFC Service

MA:

Mobile Application

MNO:

Mobile Network Operator

MSI:

Mobile Subscription Information

MSISDN:

Mobile Station Integrated Services Digital Network

NFC:

Near Field Communication

OS:

Operating System

OTA:

Over-The-Air

OTAS:

Over-The-Air Server

OTI:

Over-The-Internet

P2P:

Peer-To-Peer

PIN:

Personal Identification Number

POS:

Point Of Sales

PSM:

Personalisation Script Management

QR:

Quick Response

RAM:

Remote Application Management

RFI:

Request For Information

RFP:

Request For Proposal

SD:

Security Domain

SDK:

Software Development Kit

SE:

Secure Element

SEAC:

Secure Element Access Control

SEI:

Secure Element Information

SEIS:

Secure Element Information Server

SMS:

Short Message Service

SMSC:

Short Message Service Centre

SP:

Service Provider

SS:

Script Sending

SIM:

Subscriber Identity Module

TSM:

Trusted Service Manager

UICC:

Universal Integrated Circuit Card

US:

United States

VMPA:

Visa Mobile Payment Application

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Our thanks to the comments of one anonymous reviewer which contributed to improve this article.

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    António Madureira

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Madureira, A. An Alternative Architecture for SIM-Based Mobile NFC Services. Wireless Pers Commun 96, 2911–2942 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11277-017-4331-z

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