[LINK] Numbering/identification systems

[stephen at melbpc.org.au]

Bernard writes,
 
> The person needs to be  decoupled from the device - just like an 
> internet address is decoupled from a physical location. The question 
> would appear to be - who owns the information that links the person to 
> a device at a particular moment in time. The side issues of potential
> solutions then fall very much into the domain of privacy and risk.


How about a multi-device SIM & RFID card, swap-able in any IT device? 

Eg, one sort-of developing example .. 

Apple developing open SIM for iPhone service, RFID sales

By Daniel Eran Dilger  http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/10/10/

Apple is reportedly working with chip manufacturer Gemalto to deliver an 
iPhone SIM card capable of working with multiple carriers. The deal 
likely also involves authentication for contactless, RFID mobile 
transactions.

According to a report by Gigaom, the codeveloped SIM would be integrated 
into future iPhones to enable users to activate service without having to 
call or visit a mobile carrier after purchasing their phone. 

Instead, users will be able to shop for service from competing carriers 
right as they purchase their phone. 

Currently, users must set up a contract with and obtain a special, 
carrier-specific (and carrier-locked) SIM card from a given provider 
after they purchase their iPhone.

The new Gemalto SIM, the report notes, "is embedded in a chip that has an 
upgradeable flash component and a ROM area. The ROM area contains data 
provided by Gemalto with everything related to IT and network security, 
except for the carrier-related information. The flash component will 
receive the carrier related data via a local connection which could be 
the PC or a dedicated device, so it can be activated on the network. 

Gemalto will provide the back-end infrastructure that allows service and 
number provisioning on the carrier network." 

In addition to saving iPhone customers the step of having to visit a 
mobile provider to obtain a carrier-specific SIM, a programable SIM could 
also enable users to roam across regions and obtain service without 
requiring a unique SIM for each different location. 

Open SIM, contactless transactions 

While observers have hailed the concept as a way for Apple to open up the 
market for phone service to increased competition, a larger aspect of the 
reported Gemalto-Apple partnership is likely to involve NFC (near field 
communications), a technology that enables users to authenticate 
themselves with electronic terminals in order to make retail purchases, 
obtain tickets, and perform other transactions using RFID (radio 
frequency identification).

Gemalto already operates as a Trusted Server Manager to facilitate 
secure, contactless purchases using NFC technology. Additionally, Apple 
has already filed patents and hired a product manager, and has reportedly 
started testing prototypes of iPhones using NFC features.

Working with an established NFC expert to deliver a SIM-based way to make 
contactless transactions from iPhones could quickly establish Apple as a 
major player in handling secure authentication for convenient retail 
transactions. 

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Cheers,
Stephen