Summary
Key results
Remote update of payment applications, including NFC contactless payment functionality, in more than 10 countries
Successful mass update for tens of millions of users
Rebranding and modernization of payment services on millions of SIM cards
After acquiring the infrastructure and subscriber base of another network, a GSM operator faced the need to carry out rebranding and modernization of payment services. This included updating the banking applications incorporated in SIM cards used by tens of millions of users in more than 10 countries in Africa, and adjusting the functionality to the operator’s new offering, including support for Near Field Communication (NFC) contactless payments. The entire process had to be performed remotely, without physical card replacement and without involving end users.
The difficulty of the project was driven by its scale: it covered many types of SIM cards, different profiles, limited memory space, and the need to modernize embedded banking applications so that they worked correctly for every subscriber. The update had to be carried out simultaneously in more than 10 countries, in a secure, predictable and invisible manner for users.
To deliver the project, the client engaged Sii Poland, relying on long-term cooperation and the experience of Sii teams in mobile payments, embedded systems, banking card production, and integration of solutions for GSM operators and financial institutions.
A complete software modernization process
Within just a few months, Sii Poland experts prepared a complete set of activities enabling the deployment of a new software version.
The scope of work included:
- Analysis of dozens of existing SIM card memory maps
- Searching for free space in EEPROM memory and for superfluous components
- Designing multiple software update versions, taking into account different dialects, profiles, card operating systems and Near Field Communication (NFC) contactless payment support
- Developing more than twenty Over-The-Air (OTA) update campaigns
As a result, Sii Poland delivered a large-scale, fully remote update operation, carried out without the participation of end users.
Mass modernization of banking applications after the operator’s rebranding
Sii Poland supported the client in delivering a project for a GSM operator, covering the rebranding and modernization of payment services through a remote update of banking applications incorporated in SIM cards used by tens of millions of subscribers in more than 10 countries in Africa. The deployment was carried out using the operator’s existing network infrastructure, without the need for physical SIM card replacement and without involving end users.
The project made it possible to unify and standardize payment services available to subscribers in many countries and to modernize embedded banking applications, including Near Field Communication (NFC) contactless payment functionality. Thanks to more than 20 Over-The-Air (OTA) campaigns, changes could be introduced either for all subscribers or for selected groups, supporting the further development of the payment service offering. As a result of the implemented improvements, end users benefited from faster support and more efficient handling of potential issues related to the operation of charging stations
Key results
- Remote update of payment applications, including Near Field Communication (NFC) contactless payment functionality
- Full use of the operator’s existing network infrastructure
- Ability to deploy changes for all or selected users
- Update carried out in parallel in more than 10 countries
- Unification and standardization of payment services available to subscribers
- Modernization of embedded banking applications incorporated in SIM cards
- Delivery of more than 20 OTA campaigns without involving end users
- Successful mass update for tens of millions of users