Phonecards:

The new technology is undergoing trials at the Devonport Naval Base in Auckland, and Telecom have produced 2 cards with a mintage of 20,000. The Naval Base is closed to the public, so the opportunity to get any cards is very limited. However, a small number of mint sets have been made available to collectors and these are available for $US15 per set, which includes airmail postage.

/Contributed by JDL Holdings, dealer and AM Kilpatrick, dealer/

/Contributed by Martin Moller, collector/

-This month's Collector's Advantage comes with 2 beautiful phonecards featuring women comics. 

/Contributed by Martin Moller, collector/

-Gemplus and ISOL Announce Database On a Java Card; Full Database Server Suitable for Java Cards Bring the Benefits of the Client-Server World to Smart Cards; First Customer Announced Gemplus, the world's leading provider of smart card solutions, and ISOL, a leader in providing software for appliances and information devices, today announced the joint marketing of SQLMachine(TM), an SQL database management system based on Sun Microsystems (SUNW) Java Card technology and developed by ISOL. Today's announcement brings to market a Java Card solution for traditional relational database architectures using the industry standard ODBC and JDBC APIs. SQLMachine enables card issuers to deliver client/server applications that operate across a database infrastructure consisting of smart cards, the desktop, and large data centers.

SQLMachine(TM) allows both Java technology and Microsoft Visual Studio developers to use widely accepted database standard like SQL to access and retrieve data on smart cards. This "micro-database" server makes possible the development of identity, loyalty, government, corporate, transportation, information technology and other smart card-based solutions capable of performing full database transactions on pocket-size devices such as smart cards. Utilizing the functionality of the Java Card platform, SQLMachine also gives companies the flexibility to extend service offerings by delivering multiple applications on one card. For example, many healthcare applications that require data intense transfers of information can utilize SQLMachine to store information onto a portable, convenient and cost-effective device. It is expected to help health and insurance providers to improve quality of service and simplify administrative procedures, improve communication between users and providers; and enhance security and confidentiality of cardholder information.

"Gemplus is extremely pleased that ISOL has brought to market a solution that enables users to securely and conveniently carry a database on a smart card," said Gilles Perrotey, director, worldwide Java Card marketing at Gemplus. "It not only makes possible the easy integration of smart card systems into traditional client/server architectures, but also enables the secure and easy management of information on a smart card using standard database programming methodologies."

SQLMachine was developed using the Gemplus GemXpresso Rapid Applet Development kit, which allows developers to create quickly and easily applications using the Java Card API. SQLMachine is yet another innovative applet developed using Gemplus development tools and available to our customers and partners. Other applets include a VisaCash electronic purse, several Loyalty applets as well as PKCS#11 based applets (used for public key authentication over networks).

"By working with Gemplus, we have found powerful new development tools, strict compliance with industry standards and an impressive Java Card roadmap we needed to develop such an innovative application," said Lionel Carrasco, Chief Executive Officer of ISOL."Additionally, the breadth of Java Card based development and deployment solutions that Gemplus brings to market allows our SQLMachine customers to choose the product that best meets their needs."

The SQLMachine is fully compliant with the Java Card SQL extension specification recently released for final approval to the Java Card Forum. This unique solution fits in less than 10Kbytes of memory and provides full data manipulation and definition functionality. SQLMachine is a complementary piece to the Java Card platform and allows developers to concentrate on writing business logic instead of having to deal with arcane file based data structures.

The Hungarian government has decided on the third GSM line tender in the country. The tender decided, who is going to have monopoly in the 1800Mhz market. Vodafone and its associates have won the tender in front of Orange and Mannesmann. The winner will introduce new GSM cards.

As a reply to the result of the tender, Matáv has made a move to acquire the remaining 49% stock from Media One in the leading 450 and 900Mhz GSM operator in Hungary, Westel.

If Matav succeeds, it will own 100% of Westel. Analysts predict, that this would not be the best for consumers.

/Magyar Hirlap/

- ORANGE COMMUNICATIONS MAROC ANNOUNCES ITS BID FOR MOROCCAN LICENCE

Casablanca - Orange plc, one of the world's most advanced and fastest-growing mobile phone companies, and Samar Telecommunications Limited (Samar), an Arab group of investors, in partnership with Societe Nationale d'Investissement (SNI), the major Moroccan holding company, today announced the formation of a consortium, Orange Communications Maroc SA (the company), to bid for the second GSM mobile licence in Morocco.

Orange will hold a 70% stake in the consortium, with Samar and SNI holding the balance. The Government of Morocco, through the Caisse de Depot et de Gestion (CDG), has the option to subscribe for up to 8% of the company's share capital. The bid will benefit from the strengths of the Orange brand, which has over 4 million subscribers worldwide, and Orange's expertise as one of the world's leading GSM operators. This, combined with the investment and financial expertise of its major shareholders and associates, will enable the consortium to deliver a state-of-the-art communications infrastructure to Morocco.

If the bid is successful, thousands of jobs will be created in Morocco, directly by the company and indirectly by support businesses in a number of related activities throughout the country. The new operator's focus will be on a highly competitive offering delivering value for money, innovative products and services, superior customer service and full national coverage.

Colin Tucker, Chief Operating Officer, international activities, Orange plc, said: "We believe that the Moroccan market is ready for a new kind of mobile telephone operator and that Moroccan consumers will welcome the benefits and opportunities offered by Orange. Given that telecoms penetration in the country is low, this is an ideal opportunity to make the Orange concept of a wire free future a reality."

"Furthermore, Morocco is in an excellent strategic geographic position and will serve as a hub for Orange in terms of future investment in the whole area. The country also has a highly skilled workforce, which will enable us to build up rapidly our business using the benefit of local knowledge and local people."

"Previous experience has proven that the Orange values translate well into new markets and our initial findings in Morocco suggest that this will be repeated. We are looking forward to working on a team basis to utilize the experience and expertise developed, in-country, not only in Morocco, but also in our other international operations."

Hutchison Whampoa Limited (HWL), headquartered in Hong Kong, is a substantial shareholder in Orange plc with a 44.2% shareholding. HWL is the holding company of the Hutchison Whampoa Group of companies whose activities are concentrated on six core businesses: ports, ship maintenance and related services; telecommunications; property development and holdings; retail, manufacturing and other services; energy, infrastructure, finance and investment; as well as hotel investment and management.

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The "WPD news" is the free weekly news service of the Worldwide Phonecard Database (WPD). Copyright WPD 1999 PR is from Reuters