MasterCard International has joined GlobalPlatform, the cross-industry organisation for the development, management and promotion of a standardised framework for multiple application smart cards.
MasterCard's new membership brings GlobalPlatform's member total to 55 organisations, since its inception in September 1999.
Art Kranzley, chief e-business officer, MasterCard International, comments: "MasterCard is now in a position to help guide the future direction of GlobalPlatform's operational framework and to look for ways to expand the functionality of this specification to support Multos."
The payments association also plans to expand the existing GlobalPlatform support for JavaCard, and Windows Powered Smart Cards.
GlobalPlatform was established to promote a standard framework for the implementation of smart card technology in any industry around the world. Its aim is to drive flexibility in the choice of technologies and vendors through an emphasis on open standards for cards, terminals and support infrastructure.