HID Global Simplifies China Unicom’s SIM Card Issuance Process Through Deployment of 80,000 OMNIKEY® 1021 Desktop Smart Card Readers

IRVINE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--HID Global, trusted leader in solutions for the delivery of secure identity, today announced that China Unicom has installed HID Global’s OMNIKEY^® 1021 desktop smart card readers at its stores in more than 20 provinces and cities across the country. By incorporating OMNIKEY 1021 readers in its business operating system to read/write SIM cards, China Unicom has greatly simplified the SIM card issuance process and improved the efficiency of frontline customer service staff. The readers have also eliminated mobile number configuration and hence reduced SIM card inventory levels. Popular applications can be embedded into SIM cards during card issuance, further enhancing customer satisfaction.

“Desktop smart card readers are the management tool that telecommunications operators will heavily invest in. As our operations and customers span across the country, we needed a system that offered a high level of compatibility along with reliable quality and ease of use”

As of today, HID Global has delivered 80,000 OMNIKEY 1021 desktop smart card reader units to China Unicom. With this smart card reader, the customer service staff can personalize a blank SIM card with a mobile number and other optional services on the spot. China Unicom has also reduced SIM card inventory levels by eliminating mobile number configuration on SIM cards. It is estimated that the total SIM card orders across the country will be decreased by 8 to 10 million per quarter.

“Desktop smart card readers are the management tool that telecommunications operators will heavily invest in. As our operations and customers span across the country, we needed a system that offered a high level of compatibility along with reliable quality and ease of use,” said Mr. Gu Dingming, China Unicom’s business supervisor. “The OMNIKEY 1021 desktop smart card reader encompasses powerful features, high data transmission speed and fast read/write capability, enabling a quick turnaround time at the frontline. Additionally, the reader supports major operating systems, from Windows platforms to Linux and Mac OS. By the time we need to upgrade the system, we can simply download firmware updates online without the frustration of installing new readers or replacing any parts.”

HID’s OMNIKEY 1021 desktop smart card reader will fuel the growth of China Unicom’s personalization services. With robust data transmission speed, the readers can quickly upload large amounts of data to SIM cards, which enables China Unicom to develop a series of personalized SIM card applications. Users can personalize the STK menu of their SIM cards and install popular applications during SIM card issuance, adding greater convenience to the users.

“We are pleased that China Unicom has selected HID Global as its desktop smart card reader supplier to address its growing demands for speedy frontline operations and personalized service,” said Tim Phipps, HID Global’s vice president of logical access in Asia Pacific. “HID is committed to providing innovative solutions that meet the evolving needs of Chinese customers.”

About China Unicom

China Unicom Network Communications Co., Ltd. (China Unicom), established in 6 January, 2009, joint formed by China Netcom and originally China Unicom, with branches in 31 provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities) across the country, and in other overseas countries and regions. It is the only China-based telecom operator that is publicly listed in three locations —Hong Kong, New York and Shanghai. As at the end of 2008, its total assets amounted to RMB526.66 billion and had a total of 463,000 employees.

About HID Global

HID Global is the trusted source for secure identity solutions for millions of customers around the world. Recognized for robust quality, innovative designs and industry leadership, HID Global is the supplier of choice for OEMs, system integrators, and application developers serving a variety of markets, including physical and logical access control, card personalization, e-government, cashless payment and industry and logistics. Headquartered in Irvine, California, HID Global has over 1,900 employees worldwide and operates international offices that support more than 100 countries. HID Global is an ASSA ABLOY Group brand. For more information, visit www.hidglobal.com.

HID, the HID logo and OMNIKEY are trademarks or registered trademarks of HID Global in the U.S. and/or other countries. All other trademarks, service marks, and product or service names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.