Japan based, NTT DOCOMO, INC., a personalized mobile solutions provider for smarter living, has developed a prototype of a SIM-based authentication device, named Portable SIM, that can wirelessly activate any compatible smartphone or tablet for network-access authentication with a simple wave to replace the mobile device's SIM function with securely stored subscriber identity information.
Portable SIM incorporates three major modules: SIM card, Bluetooth® and NFC. The pocketsize mini device is expected to be incorporated in convenient wearable devices after further downsizing.
By simply waving Portable SIM next to a mobile device, the user's subscriber identity can be transmitted to the mobile device via Bluetooth, eliminating the need to physically insert a SIM card. Using this feature, for example, the smartphone user can switch their subscriber identity from a personal device to a shared tablet in the workplace. For security, the switched phone number in the smartphone is locked once the Bluetooth link is broken.
Portable SIM can securely store multiple credentials, such as IDs and passwords, so it also can be used with PCs and other connected devices to eliminate the need to type in such information when accessing online-shopping and other sites.
Going forward, DOCOMO will continue to study key technologies, functions and service applications before commercialization of the device. DOCOMO will also study ways to link Portable SIM and other smart devices, such as TVs, music players and in-car informatics systems, to bring convenient services and products to customers.
Established in 1992, DOCOMO launched its first digital cellular phone service the next year and the world's first mobile Internet-services platform in 1999. It helped to establish the W-CDMA standard for mobile communications and then kick off the first 3G service based on this standard in 2001.