Multi-application smart cards face too many hurdles

Within five years, there will be almost 300M smart cards in use across Europe. Many of these represent companies testing out single application systems with a view to moving on to multiple applications, says technology researchers Forrester.

The business model for multi-use is appealing but, argues the consultant, the scale of the hurdles means it probably won't happen.

Forrester points to problems of mixing functionality, limitations of operating systems, the need to form partnerships and relatively high costs as factors that will limit card development.

It is more likely, the firm says, that mobile phone networks will move into this territory.

The future of the card is probably limited to company-specific use across a few networked applications. Currently, the majority of cards are restricted to one function Ð the "e-purse" typical of cashless vending.

Elliott Chase