NFC-enabled BlackBerry smartphones will “open doors”

HID Global plans to support the company’s iCLASS digital keys and mobile secure identity on NFC-enabled BlackBerry smartphones.

The new BlackBerry Bold 9900/9930 and BlackBerry Curve 9350/9360 smartphones activated with iCLASS digital credentials will be compatible with the large installed base of iCLASS readers that are used for applications ranging from physical access systems in buildings, to student IDs, to applications that track time and attendance.

Instead of using keys or smartcards, BlackBerry smartphone users will be able to use iCLASS digital credentials that can be presented for authentication by simply holding their NFC-enabled BlackBerry smartphone in front of a reader, just like they do today with a physical iCLASS smartcard.

“NFC technology will enable many new and exciting capabilities for BlackBerry smartphones and we are very pleased to be working with HID Global to be the first to bring a host of secure identity and mobile access control capabilities to NFC-enabled smartphones,” said Andrew Bocking, VP, Handheld Software Product Management at RIM.

Pilots using BlackBerry smartphones activated with iCLASS digital credentials will be conducted this year. HID Global expects that its embedded iCLASS technology will be generally available for the BlackBerry Bold 9900/9930 and BlackBerry Curve 9350/9360 smartphones in early 2012.