February 3, 2010 -- Gemalto today announces that it has acquired Valimo Wireless Ltd.. The terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Valimo has pioneered the use of two-channel, two-factor authentication based on Public Key Infrastructure (PKI), combining an over the air platform (OTA) with a software client in the SIM to generate a legally binding electronic signature, any time, any place. Valimo enables mobile phone users to securely authenticate themselves, digitally sign documents and confirm legally binding transactions simply by entering a self-chosen passphrase or a PIN code. Valimo Mobile ID solution facilitates secure online banking, mobile payments, governmental services, electronic and mobile commerce, and identity and access rights management for enterprise applications.

Founded in 2000 and headquartered in Helsinki, Finland, Valimo has been a Gemalto partner for 5 years. In Turkey for example, a major mobile operator, with over 30 million subscribers, selected Valimo and Gemalto to deploy the largest mobile digital signature commercial roll-out to date. By linking up with 13 banks, this operator enables its customers to strongly authenticate themselves for online banking and to digitally sign bank transactions from their mobile phone. Connecting the Valimo platform to forward-looking governmental agencies in the country, this mobile operator has also started to provide users with access to e-government services, such as obtaining a birth certificate or booking an appointment at the hospital, offering so to citizens a convenient and cost-effective method for administrative formalities.

Olivier Piou, Chief Executive Officer, Gemalto, commented: “Mobile digital signature has been on the horizon for a few years and we believe that we have now reached a tipping point. Whether it is a high end smart phone or a more basic phone, the one digital object consumers always have with them is their mobile phone, and they clearly express their desire to use it more and more for convenience in their daily life. Enabling people to conveniently sign legally-valid transactions is opening up a whole range of new applications for the mobile, at the service of citizens”.

Juha Murtopuro, Valimo CEO added: “The key ingredient in a successful mobile PKI launch is bringing together mobile operators, banks and governmental agencies. Going forward, Valimo will be able to leverage Gemalto’s customer relationships in these domains to successfully deploy mobile strong authentication. We are happy as we believe this combination will accelerate the much expected deployment of Mobile ID, including into new territories and new markets such as e-banking and governments services”.

Go to the Gemalto NV website for product details.