"SIM-AS" provides to WLAN operators a cost-effective way into SIM-based user authentication

Cannes / Berne / Munich, February 25, 2004 -/Wi-Fi Technology News/- At the 3GSM World Congress 2004 (23rd - 26th February 2004), WeRoam has announced that it will be supporting "SIMAS", the SIM authentication server (SIM-AS) by Secartis.

This solution makes it possible to carry out a SIM-card-based authentication on all current WLAN access points - without the need for special protocol support (e.g. EAP). Yet at the same time everything is ready for migration to EAP SIM. Indeed, migration can be carried out cost-effectively and with little effort at any time, as soon as an access point makes the necessary EAP support systems available.

"This solution fits in excellently with our existing open WeRoam platform and makes it easy for wireless Internet service providers to implement a SIM-based authentication of their users in a very cost-effective way", says Toni Stadelmann, CEO at TOGEWAnet AG.

Given that SIM-AS is based on web standards, it is supported by all the technology components used in WLAN. Secartis views SIM-AS as a transitional solution, enabling SIM-based authenticcation procedures in WLAN environments to spread quickly at low cost while at the same time accelerating the introduction of EAP standards. Using SIM-based authentication procedures, users draw on their usual SIM cards to identify themselves to the WLAN operator. The service charges are conveniently invoiced on the user's mobile-phone statement.

Secartis implemented the world's first commercially available EAP SIM solution for WeRoam in 2003. The WLAN-Smard Card Consortium, a syndicate of leading technology companies concentrating on the standardization of smart-card-based WLAN solutions, has decided to make this implementation system its reference platform for EAP SIM.

SIM-AS can also be seen in Cannes at the Giesecke & Devrient stand (Hall 1, Stand C8).


WeRoam at the "3GSM World Congress 2004":
Cannes (France), Hall 2, Stand D10
23rd - 26th February 2004


Background:

Secartis has specialised as a service provider in the integration of security into internal and external electronic business processes. They offer the complete spectrum, from consultancy, customising and implementation through to the operation of secure transaction solutions focusing on situations requiring absolute confidentiality, integrity, legal obligation and authentication. Secartis AG is a wholly-owned subsidiary of G&D and has at its disposal more than 150 years of experience and know-how in areas of security and technology to face the challenges of e-business.

http://www.secartis.com


WeRoam is the trading name of Swiss company TOGEWAnet AG. Established in 2001 and owned by TOGEWA Holding and Infonet Services Corporation, WeRoam specializes in mobility management and roaming optimization solutions for the mobile and wireless telecommunications sector.

The WeRoam service facilitates the seamless integration of WLAN and GSM network technologies, enabling global roaming for WLAN services and thereafter facilitating automatic and secures roaming between WLAN, GSM and GPRS. Key solutions found in GSM technology have been adopted to make up the WeRoam service, which provides secure authentication, signaling conversion, clearing and settlement services (based on TAP - Transferred Account Procedure) and management of contractual roaming agreements.

This positions WeRoam as the only open roaming platform supporting all relevant authenticcation methods for WLAN Roaming such as SIM, Radius and EAP SIM. Registration is pending to patent WeRoam' innovative SIM based WLAN Roaming technology.

The subscriber will benefit from greater roaming coverage and the convenience of swapping between different standards with the additional advantage of having a single identity, thus receiving only one bill from his home network operator despite having visited a number of operators and countries and having used different mobile standards.

Close ties with its' sister company, Comfone AG, also founded by the umbrella company of TOGEWA Group, allow TOGEWAnet to benefit from Comfone' depth of experience in offering a wide range of roaming services to GSM operators.

http://www.weroam.com