3G brings about an increase in the performance and usability of data-driven applications. The benefits of portable secure personal devices such as the UICC and R-UIM can be more fully utilized in this way. Whilst the secure user identification embedded applications provide the secure, reliable connectivity to the network, value-added applications loaded on the cards extend the operator’s ability to reach their target subscribers. Value-added applications such as multimedia content distribution, mobile TV access or mobile payment for instance, will benefit from the faster bandwidth and lower latency both increasing the responsiveness and the breadth of applications being offered, thereby improving ease of use. Earlier in January, the Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology issued 3G licenses to China Mobile (TD-SCDMA), China Telecom (WCDMA) and China Unicom (CDMA EVDO), which marked the beginning of China’s entrance into the 3G era. Operators have subsequently launched trial 3G services in various cities in preparation for the official launch nationwide. www.gemalto.com