Smart card prices will drop below 200 yen or $2.00 per card with the introduction Friday of the CZ-3018 card from Toshiba. The new card is the latest addition to Toshibas CZ-3000 series, has an 8-bit CPU and 128 bytes of memory. It also supports enhanced data security and meets both the ISO/IEC7816 and EMV standards. The lower costs are primarily achieved by downsizing the memory capacity. Most cards currently available have large memory capacities and cost between $4.50 and $9.00 per card. The new Toshiba card was designed for less memory-intensive applications such as prepaid cards for tickets, storing credit in dividend cards and communications. Samples will be available in April followed by full production in June.

FULL STORY:

Toshiba Corporation today announced the worldwide introduction of the first Smart Card priced at less than 200 yen (US$1.80).

The card's unique CPU-based security features offer greater versatility than traditional magnetic-stripe cards. Toshiba expects the card to be widely used in such applications as pre-paid cards and communications and in a wide range of leisure activities. Marketing starts today, with samples available in April 1997. Mass production is scheduled to start in June 1997.

The new card, CZ-3018, the latest addition to Toshiba's CZ-3000 series, has an 8-bit CPU and 128 bytes of memory. It supports enhanced data security and meets both the ISO/IEC7816 and the EMV (Europay, Mastercard, VISA) standards.

Use of Smart Cards is surging. Smart Cards incorporating CPUs are forecast to sell 120 million units worldwide in this fiscal year, rising to 190 million units in fiscal 1997, an increase of more than 30 percent. Most CPU-based cards offer large memory capacity that pushes card costs up to 500 yen to 1000 yen (approximately US$4.50 to $9.00) each.

Toshiba developed the CZ-3018 to meet increasing demand for secure Smart Cards in less memory-intensive applications, including prepaid cards for tickets, storing credits in dividend cards, leisure activities and communications. Such applications require both low-cost and forgery- resistant solutions.

The CS-3018's CPU controls all data read and write, rendering the security logic invisible and assuring card security. The card also uses Toshiba's new IC module, based on an improved CMOS process that tremendously shrinks chip size. The module's lower cost allows Toshiba to offer the first Smart Cards priced at less than 200 yen.

Toshiba has developed Smart Cards with CPU for over ten years and is known for highly secure, large-capacity memory cards for banks and public services. With the CZ-3018, the company brings the versatility of cost- efficient Smart Cards to an extended range of applications.

Specifications:

CPU:                   8-bit
Protocol:              T=1, T=0 (under development)
ROM capacity:          6k bytes
RAM capacity:          128 bytes
EEPROM capacity:       128 bytes
Power supply:          3V/5V