EM Microelectronic Asserts Its Leading Position in Flash-Based Smart Card ICS

EM Microelectronic, a company of the Swatch Group, and SST (Silicon Storage Technology), have signed an agreement to license SSTs SuperFlash technology to EM Microelectronic. Under terms of the agreement, EM Microelectronic will license SSTs 0.25-micron SuperFlash technology for use in its smart card IC products in exchange for licensing fees and royalties. The agreement underscores the success of SSTs high-reliability, high- performance SuperFlash technology as the technology-of-choice for embedded applications and demonstrates SSTs success in penetrating the smart card market. This agreement enables EM to continue exhibiting its superior smart card IC design and development as the most flexible solution on the market, thus reinforcing its core competencies in the smart card IC industry. This new agreement extends the companies existing licensing relationship whereby EM Microelectronic has been using SSTs 0.5-micron SuperFlash technology since October 2001. Smart cards are used for numerous applications, including telecommunications, banking, ID schemes, healthcare and Internet access. EM Microelectronics smart card ICs are currently used by many GSM subscribers and have already been selected for some 3G-network operators. EM Microelectronic will manufacture its smart cards at SST licensed foundries and products based on this technology are ready for shipment now.