NTT to Introduce IC Telephone Cards and Public Telephones

Purpose

With the public telephone nearing its 100^th anniversary in Japan next year, NTT has developed a plan to introduce IC-equipped telephone cards and compatible public telephones that will provide customers with enhanced conveniences, such as storage of frequently called numbers. It is extremely difficult to add counterfeit call units to the new cards, which should virtually eliminate abuses with current cards. Thanks to this improved security, the IC cards will not be subject to the same restrictions used with current cards. For example, IC cards will be given face values of as much as 3,000yen and can be used for international dialing. For added convenience, public telephones that accept the cards are even more reliable than current models.

IC Card Data Processing System

Exceptionally high security will be realized though a card data management system. At the core of this system will be a data management center connected to the IC card telephone network, where data for each card will be separately processed (see Figure 1).

Features of the New IC Cards

Basic Description

The new IC cards are prepaid, disposable telephone cards equipped with special features due to the inclusion of an integrated circuit.

Specifications

The IC cards are the first telephone cards in the world to employ a contactless-type method for transferring data to and from the telephone via a transceiver imbedded in the card.

(Conventional contact-type cards use an imbedded read/write IC chip. Data is transferred when the chip comes into contact with the telephone terminal.)

See Figure 2.

1. Cards sold individually

2. Cards sold in lots (minimum order required; fee charged for issuance)

In order to have the IC telephone card system upgraded in accordance with the latest security, an expiration date will be programmed into the cards.

As for expired cards, they can be exchanged for new cards after the user pays a handling fee of about 100yen. The exchange offer will be good for up to five years after the expiration date on the card.

Paying NTT Bills with the IC Cards

As with conventional magnetic telephone cards, the new IC cards can be used to pay NTT telephone bills. Customers will be asked to pay 100yen per card as a service charge. (Note: The 100yen charge must be paid in cash; it can not be subtracted from the face value of the card.)

Other Features

3,000yen cards:	Up to 10 names and telephone numbers can be stored on the card for display via a panel on the telephone.
Other cards:	One telephone number can be stored.

Unlike magnetic cards, which are automatically punched with a hole to indicate usage, IC cards have a special corner tip that the user must remove before the first usage.

Remaining call units are shown on the telephone's display panel.

Interconnection Network

The interconnection network of the IC card public telephones will be the ISDN network, as with existing digital public telephones.

Specifications

See figure 3.

Color scheme was created by Mr. Katsuhiko Hibino, an artist. The scheme uses five colors-grass blue, charcoal black, jasmine yellow, coral orange and eternal gray-which where chosen for their natural appeal. Two patterns of colors are used.

The telephones meet IrDA standards to enable connection with mobile devices for data transmission.

Names and telephone numbers are stored on the IC cards using buttons on the telephone. Information can be input in katakana or the roman alphabet.

The IC card can be inserted into a slot on the telephone in any direction, since it has no top/bottom or front/back.

Also, up to two cards can be inserted into the card slot at one time, if the first card is low on call units.

The new IC cards use a contactless method for data transfer, so the problem of mechanical wear on the reader/writer unit of conventional magnetic card telephones-the major reason for their malfunction-is eliminated for greatly improved reliability.

Preliminary (fiscal 1998)

Approximately 1,000 IC card-only telephones will be installed at principal train stations, airports and hotels in the Tokyo and Kansai areas in March 1999 (locations and dates to be announced).

Nationwide (fiscal 1999)

From the second quarter of fiscal 1999, starting this April, telephones accepting both IC cards and coins, as well as additional IC card-only telephones, will be installed in the Tokyo and Kansai areas and other principal metropolitan cities and prefectural capitals around the nation.
Installations from fiscal 2000 will be decided in accordance with market conditions.

Rational Introduction

Care will be taken to ensure customers can continue to use public telephones that accept conventional magnetic cards. In any given location, for example, new IC card public telephones will not replace all existing magnetic-card telephones. Moreover, IC-card telephones will be installed only in locations where many public telephones already exist.

IC Card Sales

IC telephone cards will be sold initially at NTT branch offices and business windows nationwide. Sales agents and vending machines are expected to be introduced soon.

IC Card Help Center

The IC Telephone Card Service Center has been established to answer questions from customers, as follows:

Telephone:	0120-145472 (Japanese) 0120-145439 (English)
Facsimile:	0120-145424
Hours:	9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday

-IC Telephone Card System

-Physical Appearance of IC Telephone Cards

-IC Card Public Telephones