DALLAS-Cingular Wireless will use Subscriber Identity Module cards from French vendor Gemplus International S.A. in its forthcoming third-generation wireless launch. Gemplus said it will be one of Cingular’s primary suppliers for Universal SIM cards, which are designed for W-CDMA networks.
“(U)SIM cards are an integral part of our strategy to improve the customer experience,” said Scott McElroy, executive director of technology for Cingular. “(U)SIMs provide the high level of security that we need as the largest U.S. wireless provider and bring our customers a richer phonebook and service continuity at home and abroad, from handset to handset, and in their migration to 3G.”
Gemplus currently supplies SIM cards for Cingular’s existing network. Gemplus’ stock was up slightly to $4.69 per share on the news.