GlobalPlatform, the international specification body for smart card infrastructure, has added American Express as its latest full member. The payment system’s initial focus will be to participate in GlobalPlatform’s current standardisation efforts to support the convergence of the payment and mobile technical landscapes.
The participation is expected to complement its current work with EMVCo, the EMV standards body which it jointly operates alongside JCB, MasterCard and Visa to develop and maintain the EMV Specifications for the global payments industry. The two associations are collaborating to advance GlobalPlatform’s Specifications relative to secure content management on mobile devices, while ensuring that the technology aligns with EMVCo’s application management requirements – including over-the-air (OTA) download and personalization – for mobile devices.
Reportedly, as a full member of GlobalPlatform, American Express is entitled to participate on the GlobalPlatform advisory council and to assign representatives to its technical committees – card, device and systems – task forces and working groups. American Express is also expected to enjoy voting privileges and have the opportunity to nominate a representative annually for election to the board of directors.
Susan Hillel, senior vice president of Global Network Operations at American Express, said: “American Express recognizes that by contributing to GlobalPlatform, and engaging in its cross-market expertise, we will be in a stronger position to deliver innovative and convenient payment solutions to American Express’ users globally. We look forward to lending our market experience and resources to GlobalPlatform, and participating in this important industry initiative.”
GlobalPlatform offers smart card infrastructure development and deployment services that support multi-application, multi-actor and multi-business model implementations.
