As a means of facilitating increased international travel, automating identity verification, speeding immigration inspections, and improving border protection and security, many countries are adopting advanced technologies in their immigration and border controls. Specifically, they are contracting advanced chip technology firms to implant biometric chips in new passports and other documents that provided added security while improving border crossing processes.

 

Gemalto, which provided SIM cards and software to the telecom industry, also has made a name for itself with its digital security solutions for the banking, retail, enterprise, and public sectors. As the company says, it creates solutions so that “only the right people can use them to identify themselves, make a transaction, or communicate.”

 

Now, Gemalto has been named by the Citizenship and Migration Board of Estonian Republic as provider of choice for future Estonian electronic passports. Gemato’s comprehensive turnkey e-passport solution will include everything from manufacturing and binding of the passports to implanting the microchips containing Gemalto’s Setec biometric identification technology.

 

At the heart of the solution is a large capacity contactless microchip running a secure operating system is embedded in a damage resistant module in the passport booklet cover.

 

In addition, Gemalto will implement the on-premises portion of the solution, including appropriate hardware and software for capturing, digitizing, and storing the passport owner’s personal data, photo, and signature.

 

Initial deliveries of the passports are expecting in early 2007, with the agreement extending through 2012 with an option for an additional three years thereafter. Given current passport issuance rates, the deal could mean as many as one million passports by the expiration of the contract.

 

“Gemalto is proud to have been selected by the Estonian authorities” said Jacques Seneca, President Europe at Gemalto. “This agreement is the continuity of our past collaboration on visas. With the implementation of our end-to-end solution, the authorities and citizens will benefit from the highest level of security and convenience, together with compliance with the global standard.”