French vendor Gemalto has announced that China Mobile is deploying its NFC-based SIM cards for a range of mobile contactless applications, starting with ticketing for the public transport system in Beijing.

The vendor preloads SIMs with a transport application for Beijing so that commuters can travel via bus and metro by tapping their smartphones on a contactless ticket reader.

In addition to transport, other services that could take their place on the SIM include mobile payments, loyalty and couponing.

Suzanne Tong-Li, Gemalto’s president for Greater China and Korea, said: “We have provided a customised solution to China Mobile, leveraging our strong understanding of the Chinese market and regional networks, which will allow them to adapt and expand their services to other cities. In the future, commuters will be able to travel from city to city with just one download wherever they go instead of having to buy a new transportation card each time. “