MasterCard Joins GlobalPlatform to Help Standardize Framework for Multiapplication Smart Cards

MasterCard International today announced that it has joined GlobalPlatform, the first cross-industry organization to develop, manage and promote a standardized framework for multiple application smart cards.

MasterCard joins existing members of GlobalPlatform to combine the interests of smart card issuers, vendors, industry groups, public entities and technology companies, to define global requirements and technology standards for multiple application smart cards. The significant new membership will boost GlobalPlatform's member total to 55 organizations - a figure it has achieved only two years since its inception in September 1999.

``MasterCard is dedicated to creating a universal platform and infrastructure that will make it easier and less expensive to deploy multi-application smart cards on a global basis,'' said Art Kranzley, chief e-Business officer, MasterCard International. ``By joining GlobalPlatform, we are responding to the growing desire of our members to have maximum flexibility when initiating smart card programs of their own. MasterCard is now in a position to help guide the future direction of GlobalPlatform's operational framework and to look for ways to expand the functionality of this specification to support MULTOS.''

MasterCard is the only global payments association to actively support all major smart card environments, and is interested in working with GlobalPlatform members and committees to broaden the scope of GlobalPlatform to support MULTOS, and add it to the existing GlobalPlatform support for JavaCard, and Windows Powered Smart Cards. In this way, MasterCard intends to work with GlobalPlatform members to achieve a comprehensive, open and inclusive common card management framework for all major smart card technologies.

``We are delighted to welcome MasterCard as the latest member of GlobalPlatform,'' said Steve Brown, Chairman of GlobalPlatform and Head of Business Development at BT Ignite eBusiness. ``We believe that bringing together GlobalPlatform's existing specifications and road map with MasterCard's experience with MULTOS and multi-application smart cards, can result in enhanced, convergent industry standards.''

Brown added that GlobalPlatform intends to rename these specifications to better reflect this wider remit.

GlobalPlatform has established a structured recruitment campaign, involving all current members that is designed to attract new members from various industries and sectors. In this way, GlobalPlatform can continue to work towards developing standards that meet the needs of all those issuing or planning to issue multiple application smart cards.

About GlobalPlatform
GlobalPlatform is the only cross-industry forum focused on the development, management and promotion of specifications for multiple application smart cards, smart card applications, and enabling devices. With support from its global member organizations (see attached list), GlobalPlatform promotes a standard framework facilitating the implementation of smart card programs in any industry around the world. GlobalPlatform allows flexibility in the choice of technologies and vendors through an emphasis on open standards for cards, terminals and support infrastructure. GlobalPlatform's card and terminal specifications are the first open standards adopted by GlobalPlatform and will provide a solid foundation from which the organization will define the future of multiple application smart cards. For further information on GlobalPlatform, please visit www.globalplatform.org

About MasterCard International
MasterCard International is a leader in global e-business. The association is focused on providing its member financial institutions with customized, meaningful global e-business solutions that connect them to customers in both the online and offline worlds. Through its investment in industry innovation, participation in standards development and business alliances, MasterCard is staying in the forefront of technology integration to enable anytime, anywhere payments across multiple channels and various devices. MasterCard's global e-business solutions include Internet interactive services, security, smart cards, mobile commerce/wireless, e-wallets, business to business electronic commerce, and numerous emerging technologies.

MasterCard International has the most comprehensive portfolio of payment brands in the world. More than 1.7 billion MasterCard®, Cirrus® and Maestro® logos are present on credit, charge and debit cards in circulation today. An association comprised of more than 20,000 member financial institutions, MasterCard serves consumers and businesses, both large and small, in 210 countries and territories. MasterCard is the leader in quality and innovation, offering a wide range of payment solutions in the virtual and traditional worlds. MasterCard's award-winning Priceless® advertising campaign is now seen in 81 countries and in more than 36 languages, giving the MasterCard brand reach and scope unrivaled by any competitor in the industry. With more than 21 million acceptance locations, no card is accepted in more places and by more merchants than the MasterCard Card. In 2000, gross dollar volume exceeded US$857 billion. MasterCard can be reached through its World Wide Web site at www.mastercard.com.

Note to Editors: The following is a list of current Global Platform members:

ACI Worldwide Inc. ActivCard American Express Co. Bell ID BT Bull Cardbase Technologies, Inc Cards Etc Carte Bleue Citibank Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd DataCard Department of Defense Eircom First Data Corp. Gemplus Giesecke & Devrient GSA OGP (ME) RG131 Hitachi, Ltd Hypercom Corporation IBM Global Services - Americas Industrial Technology Research Institute Infineon Technologies Ingenico S.A. Interpay JCB Co. Ltd. Keycorp MasterCard International Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. Microsoft Corp. NBS Technologies NEC Corporation NMDA Nordea AB NTT Corporation Oberthur Card Systems Orga Philips Semiconductor Proton World International Schlumberger Sermepa Setec Oy SmartTrust STMicroelectronics Sun Microsystems, Inc. Telstra Thales e-Security The Bank of Nova Scotia Toppan Printing Co., Ltd. Toshiba Corporation Total System Services, Inc. TTA United States Postal Service Visa International