First released in 2011, the GlobalPlatform Messaging Specification defines the roles and responsibilities of all stakeholders within the NFC landscape. It also outlines the ‘language’ that should be used across all parties to ensure global consistency and clear communication when managing secure applications over-the-air or over-the-internet in a cloud environment. This ‘language’ is technically known as ‘messages’. By using this specification, messages can be exchanged between all actors in an NFC deployment in an interoperable, secure and reliable web services format.
A key update to the specification – version 1.1 – is the precise direction it now offers to service providers such as payment systems or transit operators, on how to securely connect with other actors in the NFC landscape. This includes engagement with trusted third parties such as mobile network operators (MNO), trusted service managers (TSM) or commercial partners to deliver joint mobile services.
“As with all GlobalPlatform Specifications, once the document has been released, we continue to engage and listen to the market to update and refine it. In addition to general industry amends, service providers highlighted requirements to support the mobile wallet and secure services environment that were unique to them. This document focuses on these areas to enable complete integration of the service provider in the NFC environment.”