Gemalto has been selected by China Mobile to offer its UpTeq NFC Multitenant SIMs to protect consumer credentials used for mobile contactless applications, starting with mass transit services in Beijing, according to a press release.

China Mobile is the largest operator in the world with a total subscriber base of close to 800 million. Gemalto preloads the SIMs with the Beijing transport application and enables over 22 million daily commuters in the city to ride buses and the metro by tapping their smartphones on the contactless ticket reader, according to the announcement.

In addition to the transport application, the UpTeq NFC Multitenant SIMs installed in all types of handsets will be immediately ready to host and enable services such as mobile payment, loyalty and couponing programs, and access control for private enterprises, according to the announcement. The LTE-ready capabilities also allow subscribers to download NFC applications over 4G networks.

"We have provided a customized solution to China Mobile, leveraging our strong understanding of the Chinese market and regional networks, which will allow them to adapt and expand their services to other cities," said Suzanne Tong-Li, president for Greater China and Korea at Gemalto. "In the future, commuters will be able to travel from city to city with just one download wherever they go instead of having to buy a new transportation card each time."