Orga Claims Wireless Card Updating Function

Orga Card Systems said it has developed a system for updating smart cards "over the air" in wireless telephone systems.

The subsidiary of Orga Karetensysteme of Germany said its OTA Express 500 Gateway System is the only one of its kind that integrates SIM cards- subscriber interface modules, which are smart cards that operate within the GSM standard for mobile communications-with equipment from many different suppliers.

Many card technology experts view GSM technology, with its remote capabilities, as a leading indicator of where smart cards are heading.

Orga demonstrated the over-the-air system at the recent Communication Services '97 conference in Dallas. It also showed a service enhancement that allows system operators to make credit risk decisions for each prepaid subscriber.

The company said more than three million GSM subscribers around the world are on its prepaid system.

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