Orange, France's largest mobile network operator, will be rolling out an NFC solution. The company said its new solution, a partnership between the carrier and digital security provider Gemalto, will open up NFC services to 27 million Orange subscribers.

Orange will deploy Gemalto's Upteq NFC SIM chips and will offer service providers such as banks and retailers the opportunity secure space on the chips. Service providers will be able to manage their customers' data in order to offer services such as mobile payments, ticketing and loyalty programs.

"Orange is leading the way in NFC rollout in France and in Europe," said Philippe Vallée, Gemalto EVP for telecommunications, in the announcement. He signaled that Orange may be looking to roll out similar offerings in other countries where it has a presence. "Gemalto's UpTeq NFC solution meets Orange's qualifications at both national and group levels," Vallée said. 

The France Telecom-Orange group of companies has 225 million subscribers in 33 countries. 

Orange VP Thierry Millet said the NFC solution from Gemalto is in line with the company's overall strategy to simplify and secure the use of mobile contactless services, adding that Orange is committed to equipping subscribers with NFC SIM cards and handsets.

"We are delighted to achieve a new landmark with this nationwide rollout towards our subscribers in France," Millet said.

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