News Archive 2002

20.02.2002
SUN Microsystems and Valimo Wireless Developed Secure Mobile Payments
Valimo have, in cooperation with Sun, developed two different methods of payment for JavaTM -enabled services.

This week at the 3GSM World Congress, Valimo Wireless is demonstrating how a mobile payment can be used to purchase services when using Java based, wireless over-the-air (OTA) provisioning and Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) for confirming the payment transaction. Payment scenarios include a PKI-enabled SIM toolkit application and a Java MIDlet (a handset Java application). In both scenarios the payment transaction is managed by Valimo Validator and integrated with a Java-based wireless OTA provisioning solution. The Valimo Validator receives a confirmation for the payment transaction from the subscriber, validates the digitally signed transaction, and records it for non-repudiation purposes. For this transaction, the download of the desired service precedes the payment, although the Valimo Validator can enable either pre- or post-download payments.

The Mobile payment system was developed in conjunction with Sun's Wireless Center of Excellence in Stockholm. Using Sun Systems, Java platforms and Valimo's PKI-based security solution (Valimo Validator) along with wireless OTA provisioning solutions from other third party vendors, this architecture provides the subscriber, merchant and financial institutions with verification that all the parties are whom they say they are. It also ensures that the credit-worthiness of the subscriber is communicated in a trusted, secure and legally binding method. The architecture behind these solutions is based on the Mobile Electronic Transaction (MeT) Initiative's reference model, and used an end-to-end Java framework to maximize the efficiency and flexibility of the solutions.

SIM Toolkit Payment: The subscriber has a PKI enabled SIM card in their handset, which provides tamperproof storage for signing keys. When paying for downloaded content or services, the subscriber has to confirm the payment by entering a PIN code that utilizes the PKI functionality on the SIM card. After receiving and validating the payment confirmation, the Valimo Validator allows the download to continue and the subscriber to access the content or service.

MIDP Payment Confirmation - The subscriber's handset has embedded software-based keys, which are used to confirm the payment. The handset does not have to rely on specific browser or SIM toolkit implementations in order to support payment for content or services. The Valimo Validator receives and validates the payment allowing the download to continue.

Both solutions give a secure and flexible means for a user to pay for the use of content and services. Service models such as pay-per-play, shareware, time limited subscriptions, etc. are enabled by this technology.

"Valimo Validator shows the strength of Java even in highly secure PKI-Applications. This is one the reasons, why Sun selected it for Proof of Concept Demonstrator as a means of secure payment authorization validation." comments Mr. Christopher David, Senior Technologist, Sun Wireless Center in Stockholm.

About Valimo

Valimo Wireless Ltd specializes in developing software to secure and perform transactions with mobile devices. The company's main product is Valimo Validator, the server software that integrates mobile terminals into payment, billing, and authentication systems. Valimo Validator is highly scalable and standard-based Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) software, which enables user authentication and transaction validation.

About Sun in Wireless

Sun's products, technologies, and services, and its deep industry understanding and experience, make it the best choice to advice customers seeking to build out their mobile services infrastructure. Comprised of its end-to-end wireless offering, scalable, standards-based platform, innovative services and best-of-breed partners, Sun delivers reliable solutions to both carrier and enterprise customers designed to increase revenues and customer retention while accelerating overall time to market. Additionally, Sun's solutions are "G independent", supporting the major wireless standards and protocols, enabling integration across generations of wireless network infrastructure.

More information:

Jarkko Elonen
CEO, Valimo Wireless
Tel: +358 50 541 9373