Cosmocolor is a major system integrator in Latin America, specialized in digital identity solutions. The company has partnered Gemalto previously to implement the first Mexican electronic card driving license in the Nuevo León State in January 2007. Together with Gemalto, they now expand their services and technology to the States of Mexico, Veracruz and Sonora. With a population of over 110 million and over 50 million drivers, Gemalto expects a strong potential for migration to electronic driving licenses in Mexico. “The expansion of e-Driver License to other Mexican States demonstrates Mexico’s technological leadership in electronic ID systems in Latin America. At the forefront of the global trend that replaces paper documents with electronic documents, Mexico’s e-Driving License is also recognized as a secure ID card. Already used as national identification card, it also serves as proof of identity to contract many services, from cashing a check, to opening a bank account or getting credit. As the driver’s identification data is read from the card, directly on to a PC, using a card reader, it also helps users save time when contracting a service”, comments Arnaud Laurans, vice-president for Government Programs of Gemalto in Latin America. “Since the e-Driver License contains a microprocessor chip that securely stores driver’s data and biometric characteristics, such as finger prints and photograph, it protects drivers against identity theft. The chip can also store high volumes of data and will contain the history of fines and driver’s restrictions. This is expected to contribute to a reduction in traffic accidents and deaths, as information on drivers’ behaviour may be used by insurance companies when calculating car insurance premiums, making insurance more expensive for imprudent drivers”, says Jorge Kahwagi, President of Cosmocolor. remi.calvet@gemalto.com www.gemalto.com