While Near Field Communications (NFC) technology allows proximity transactions, AirSIM allows wide field communications at a distance ranging from few centimetres up to 15 meters. This range can obviously be regulated through the detector. The universal technology does not require an antenna-equipped handset or any software or hardware modifications on the device.
Oberthur showcased an e-ticketing application at MWC 2012 that illustrated how this technology can be used to save time to passengers and money to transport authorities. Physical access control barriers, accurate billing and paper tickets are seen today as a challenge for a fluid and efficient transportation system. As a consequent, some transport operators remove access control barriers and replace fraud prevention by on-board control. In this context, the AirSIM allows the transport authority to efficiently bill the customer after the trip, depending on the time and also the entry and exit points of the traveller.In parallel, users can access new services through their preferred device without the need of additional cards; their privacy is respected, as they can easily stop the tracking function through a menu.
User identification and accurate positioning can allow many other use cases such as micro-payment without stopping or getting off the car, geo-marketing and associated couponing, access control.