Mobile Electronic Identification Soon a Reality

Numerous banks and mobile operators in Sweden have agreed to a common standard for electronic identification via mobile phones. The standard, aptly named e-ID, uses your SIM card to identify you with your bank issued security signature.

There are many implications for mobile signatures, for example; phone based voting, tax filing, banking, and many other personal transactions that require personal identification security.

Sony Ericsson and TeliaSonera Sweden have teamed up with different Swedish banks such as Danske Bank Sweden, ForeningsSparbanken, Handelsbanken, Ikanobanken, Lansforsakringar Bank and SkandiaBanken to bring the e-ID to standardization. Initial tests with the new standard will take place in the second half of 2005.

The specifications for the e-ID solution can be found online at http://www.wpki.net.