Insights For Success

Strategy, Innovation, Leadership and Security

VISA approved Blackberry (RIM) for mobile payment

technologyEdward Kiledjian
Research In Motion (RIM) is working to build credibility ahead of the Blackberry 10 launch later this month and 3rd party certifications are critical. RIM is able to add another to its hat because VISA just approved RIM Near Field Communication (NFC) and Secure Element Manager (SEM) for use with VISA's mobile payment solutions. 
In Canada, mobile payments are just starting and the largest consortium (EnStream created by Rogers, Bell and Telus) will allow Blackberry users to pay for purchases using their smartphones.

Blackberry 10 may have some traction yet.

The press release

WATERLOO, ON – Research In Motion (RIM) (NASDAQ: RIMM; TSX: RIM) today announced that its Secure Element Manager (SEM) solution for NFC (Near Field Communication) mobile payments has been approved by Visa. RIM’s SEM is the backend solution for carriers that can securely manage credentials on SIM (subscriber identity module) cards installed in all types of NFC-capable mobile devices.

“The approval from Visa of RIM’s SEM solution is an important step in that it will enable carriers to support Visa issuing banks and financial institutions,” said Frank Maduri, Senior Director, NFC Services and TSM Product Management at RIM. “We now offer carriers a robust solution with around-the-clock global support that works on any NFC-capable device, and meets the stringent technology and usability guidelines for Visa.”

“RIM’s success in gaining Visa’s formal approval as secure element manager is a crucial step in expanding RIM’s role as a key security partner for mobile payment solutions around the globe,” said Andy Castonguay, Principal Analyst, at Informa Telecoms & Media. “RIM’s secure network operations center provides a unique combination of global geographic reach, and has established trusted relationships with hundreds of carriers around the world with an unparalleled reputation for security, which sets RIM apart as an SEM partner in the growing mobile payments space.”

Today’s announcement from RIM builds on the recent deployment of mobile payments in Canada by EnStream, a joint venture of Bell, Rogers and TELUS, which uses RIM’s SEM solution.

About Research In Motion

Research In Motion (RIM), a global leader in wireless innovation, revolutionized the mobile industry with the introduction of the BlackBerry® solution in 1999. Today, BlackBerry® products and services are used by millions of customers around the world to stay connected to the people and content that matter most throughout their day. Founded in 1984 and based in Waterloo, Ontario, RIM operates offices in North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and Latin America. RIM is listed on the NASDAQ Stock Market (NASDAQ: RIMM) and the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: RIM). For more information, visit: www.rim.com or www.blackberry.com.

Media Contact:

Gene Nakonechny

RIM Public Relations

+ 1-519-597-5018

gnakonechny@rim.com

 

RIM Investor Contact:

RIM Investor Relations

+ 1-519-888-7465

[email protected]