Host Card Emulation Will Take A Byte Out of Your Wallet

Our desire is high for a mobile payments model that is as cutting edge and time saving as the devices we have come to rely on for all means of communicating in a digital world.

In 2011, Doug Yeager and Ted Fifelski coined “host card emulation” to describe the ability to transact with remotely operated smart cards. Prior to their offshoot, card emulation only existed in a physical way, such as the “secure element” built into many chipsets, storage devices, or SIM cards.

Google has leveled the playing field, especially against telcos that want to control mobile transactions. They have integrated Host Card Emulation into the Android mobile operating platform under the upgrade to KitKat 4.4. This move has since freed up third party payment initiatives from being carrier-blocked.

An infographic from Bell ID highlights key statistics of mass market delivery of mobile services using Host Card Emulation.
It also shows the countries where contactless mobile payments are likely to achieve swift adoption and global consumer readiness for mobile payments.

In as many nutshells, HCE is now ready for mainstream deployment in a number of market sectors.

To be sure, we are on the precipice of rapid change in the mobile payments model with the advent of this new layer of interconnectivity allowable under the Host Card Emulation protocol; which portends to digitize the private handshake in a monumental way, forever changing the dimensions of the digital divide, bringing us closer than ever. It is a magnificent milestone we will have crossed; showing us the limitless nature of ingenuity of enlightened minds.