The company also confirmed that it received full certification from MasterCard International for GemInstant PayPass.

GemInstant PayPass leverages contactless technology to simplify payment for small value transactions in venues where speed is essential. It consists of a MasterCard payment card with a built-in chip and antenna that uses short range radio waves to allow users to simply tap their GemInstant PayPass smart cards on specially-equipped PayPass terminals to securely transmit account details.

Merchant and consumer interest in MasterCard PayPass in the U.S. continues to grow, with an increasing number of merchants and other commercial partners agreeing to accept the contactless payment program. They include McDonald's, Regal Entertainment Group movie theaters, CVS pharmacies, and 7-Eleven and Sheetz convenience stores, as well as several sporting arenas. Additionally, J.P. Morgan Chase & Co., one of the largest credit-card issuer in the U.S., has publicly announced plans to issue cards powered by MasterCard PayPass during 2005.

GemInstant PayPass achieved all of the MasterCard PayPass approval requirements on 30 June, bringing to the banks a contactless solution compliant with the MasterCard PayPass specifications and testing requirements. The cards will be produced at Gemplus' recently enhanced card manufacturing facility in Pennsylvania, U.S. starting in July 2005.

"We see huge growth opportunities in the contactless market worldwide. Banking, retail, transportation, and government sectors are all considering various contactless technologies because of the improved speed and efficiency at terminals and reduced maintenance costs," said Philippe Combes, Gemplus' Executive Vice-President Operations and Financial Services.

Ernie Berger, President of Gemplus North America, added, "Being among the first smart card providers to achieve full certification for MasterCard PayPass is a serious endorsement of the effort we've put into developing contactless solutions over the last decade."