MTS is the only cellular communications operator in Russia to have in-house personalization center. With efficient support of Gemplus, the world’s number one provider of smart card based solutions, the center was opened in May 1999. It is fully equipped to ensure secure production of SIM and scratch cards. Certified equipment by DataCard company (USA) enables personalization of SIM-cards from different providers, in particular from Gemplus, Schlumberger and Orga, with which MTS has frame agreements.

Today MTS carries out all personalization functions from design, colour print to file structure creation, general and personalized data loading.

A mobile handset functioning is impossible without a SIM card which is inserted into a cellular device and contains personalized subscriber’s data such as code for card identification by IMSI (International Mobile Subscriber Identify), PIN and PUK codes. Such data can be entered into the card either during the process of cards manufacturing or in specialized centers. Such centers also produce scratch cards used by subscribers to pay for communications services. Unlike SIM-cards with data inserted by electrical means, scratch cards use the individual code printed on them and covered by special removable layer.

Shagit Reznikov, Director of MTS Value Added Services Division, said: “The priority objective for all cellular providers is to ensure security. MTS’ personalization center is the place where all subscriber’s personal data are generated. Now we do not have to rely on third party’s guaranties but control plastic cards personalization processes ourselves. Our aim has been to ensure security on all phases of SIM-card life cycle. It is especially important since in accordance with a Ministry of Communications decree, MTS was appointed a coordinating operator in the Central Region of Russia, which includes 16 operators, and thus must provide these operators with SIM-cards. Besides, we are always on the cutting edge of progress — our specialists follow all innovations and state-of-the-art cards at the lowest prices are available to MTS.”

Rene Barchi, General Manager Gemplus CIS, said: “The MTS personalization center is the result of a successful strategy of cooperation between two leaders. Gemplus is not only a recognized supplier of high-quality SIM-cards but as well a successful Solution provider. This personalization center gives MTS high flexibility and allows to dramatically reduce time to market”.

Cellular communications today are not only base stations and switches. They are unconceivable without reliable transport and transmission environment, billing centers, information support, SIM and scratch cards personalization centers. Many Russian providers enjoy the advantages of ordering SIM-cards in MTS’ center: unlike other large personalization centers with a minimum order of tens of thousands cards, Mobile TeleSystems personalization center can produce even small lots starting from 100 cards. Among MTS’ clients TAIF-Telcom OJSC (Kazan), Tambovskaya Electrosvyaz OJSC, Iaroslavl GSM CJSC, ReCom OJSC (Orel), Amurskaya cellular communicatins CJSC (Blagoveshensk), Mobile Communications Systems OJSC (Omsk), SMARTS CJSC branch in Ivanovo and a number of other operators.