Smart Card Industry Growth in North and Latin America

The Frost & Sullivan Americas Smart Card Market Analysis report, published in September 2005 in collaboration with the Smart Card Alliance, predicts that the smart card industry will grow rapidly in North America, at a 27.7 percent compound annual rate over the next five years, from the 132.2 million cards shipped in 2004. The report predicts even greater growth in Latin America, a 59 percent compound annual growth rate over the next five years, from 217.2 million cards shipped in 2006. Growth is expected in all industry segments including GSM, payments, government ID, access control, transit, and pay TV.

Smart Card Alliance

The Alliance was established to accelerate the widespread adoption, usage, and application of smart card technology by bringing together leading users and technologists from both the public and private sectors in an open forum to address industry issues and create new opportunities for all.

The Smart Card Alliance is a not-for-profit, multi-industry association, working to stimulate the understanding, adoption, use and widespread application of smart card technology. Through specific projects such as education programs, market research, advocacy, industry relations and open forums, the Alliance keeps its members connected to industry leaders and innovative thought. The Alliance is the single industry voice for smart cards, leading industry discussion on the impact and value of smart cards in the U.S. and Latin America.

Latin America Chapter

The Smart Card Alliance is extending its programs internationally with the new Latin America Chapter. Established in July 2005, the Latin America Chapter will develop tri-lingual education programs (English, Spanish, and Portuguese) and establish membership activities to stimulate the understanding, adoption, use and application of smart cards in Latin America.

The Smart Card Alliance Latin America (SCALA) is a Chapter organization of the Smart Card Alliance that is focused to serve the Latin American region. This Chapter organization has its own membership fee and participates in its own conferences. In order to participate in the Latin American Alliance activities, membership is required.

Profile

The Smart Card Alliance membership includes a mix of over 140 U.S., Latin American, and international organizations covering the full spectrum of industry suppliers, integrators, and end user groups, comprising leading companies in the financial services, corporate enterprise, telecommunications, mobile, healthcare, retail, security, transportation industries, computer technology and entertainment, as well as a number of government agencies. The Alliance brings together leading users and technologists from both the public and private sectors. Membership is open to anyone focusing resources and energy on the use of smart card technology.

The Alliance brings together the most active technology segments, including card manufacturing and services, suppliers of chips (microprocessor, contactless chips), cards, readers, application software/middleware, PKI, card personalization, testing, biometrics, and integration services.

Smart Card Alliance Priorities

• Serve as an educational resource to its members and the industry on emerging smart card adoption issues
• Provide a forum for cutting edge discussions and group projects that positively influence the implementation of smart card technology
• Engage industry to Influence standards that are relevant to smart card adoption and implementation
• Maintain a voice in public policy that affects smart card adoption and implementation