At this year's Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Giesecke & Devrient (G&D) is presenting its entire range of solutions for operators of LTE networks. G&D's portfolio includes more than just special SIM cards that open up brand new possibilities for LTE network operators and users. G&D also offers network operators a comprehensive management platform for the secure and flexible Over-the-Air (OTA) administration of SIM cards and devices via the network.

Unlike most other SIM card providers, Giesecke & Devrient offers management and server systems for the administration of the LTE cards issued to customers in addition to the LTE cards themselves, for use in devices. This gives LTE network operators the advantage of being able to source all the solutions they require during the roll-out and operation of a network from a single supplier. G&D's entire portfolio of SIM and device OTA server software is LTE ready including steering of roaming and handset management. Visitors to the Mobile World Congress, taking place from February 14 to 17 in Barcelona, Spain, can find out more about G&D's full range of LTE products and speak to a G&D representative in person at Stand B65 in Hall 8.

LTE, the fourth-generation (4G) mobile communications standard, enjoys numerous advantages over its predecessors UMTS and HSPA. For a start, transmission capacity is substantially increased, allowing a far greater number of connections per cell to access broadband services. As a result, data rates on current LTE networks can reach up to 100 Mbit/s for downloads and 50 Mbit/s for uploads. LTE networks also require fewer system components and boast sharply reduced latency, making completely new broadband services possible for mobile devices.

LTE networks are being introduced worldwide. There are already 80 network operators around the world who are in the process of rolling out infrastructure to support 4G services. 4G subscriber authentication is based in principle on procedures that are well known from 3G networks: Here, too, the mobile connection is not tied to the device itself; rather, it is the mobile communication card or SIM card - known as a Universal Integrated Chip Card or UICC - that serves as the decisive element in identifying the user.

Compared to SIM cards in GSM networks or the USIM that was introduced with UMTS networks, LTE offers considerably expanded options for remote administration of cards and for operating new services. For instance, OTA management can be made much more efficient by using IP protocols. Giesecke & Devrient recently released a new version of its SmartTrust DP^TM OTA platform. Not only is it ideal for managing SIM cards and devices in LTE networks, it also allows network operators to manage all manner of user devices regardless of network technology. This means SmartTrust DP can satisfy the individual needs of different operators, whilst excellent scalability, performance, reliability and interoperability make a substantial contribution to raising network efficiency and lowering operating costs.