GSM-PKI solution enabling secure mobile communications.

Abstract

Because of its wide distribution and ease of use, the mobile phone, as a reliable personal communications channel, offers an excellent basis for the provision of reliable electronic communications services. In Finland, ca. 75% of the citizens have a mobile phone and, at present and most likely also in the future, it is the most widely spread service channel allowing reliable electronic communications. Despite the restricted functions of the mobile phone, the citizens can use the phone also as a communications medium. In 2001, the Finns sent over 1 billion SMS messages. In Finland, TeliaSonera Finland Oyi and the Population Register Centre (PRC) have closed a co-operation agreement with the aim of creating a mobile phone service for the electronic identification of a person. The co-operation launched is a significant development project from the perspective of the citizens. As a result, the consumers will have a new alternative for reliable electronic communications and commerce in data networks in addition to the electronic identification card. In the future, it will be possible to use the services of both public administration and the private sector by means of a mobile phone more reliably than before, without a physical visit, e.g. to a health centre or to another provider of healthcare services. The possibility of identification and signature by a mobile phone allows an easier provision of versatile services irrespective of time and place, because, in addition to voice, text message, and WAP functions, the service can be utilised also in communications services through the Internet, in which case, the mobile phone acts like a card reader. From the perspective of reliable personal mobile communications, the healthcare sector is one of the most significant and challenging application areas.