Swedish group seeks to globalize mobile phone ID standard

MANHASSET, N.Y. — A group of Swedish banks and mobile phone operators has established a common standard for electronic identification (e-ID) in mobile phones that its members want to promote as a global standard, the group announced Thursday (March 31).

The solution, which is based on an international standard, is tied to the SIM card in mobile phones. The e-ID could be issued by banks or other authorized issuers. The group said the solution would permit users to carry out banking, tax filing, or even voting over their mobile phones.

The BankID participants include Danske Bank Sweden, ForeningsSparbanken, Handelsbanken, Ikanobanken, Lansforsakringer Bank and SkandiaBanken. Participants from the mobile phone industry include TeliaSonera Sweden and Ericsson. The group is planning to test the standard in the second half of 2005.

"The participating banks and companies are now establishing a non-profit association that will be responsible for maintaining and further developing the standard," the group stated. "Another goal is to work for widespread use of the solution by other companies and markets and to get it accepted as a global standard."