Casio picks STMicro for rugged NFC smartphone

The 4G LTE G’zOne CA-201L is waterproof, shockproof and dustproof, says Casio, and can be used for mobile payments applications as well as NFC read/write functions.

NEC Casio Mobile Communications — a mobile handset manufacturing joint venture between NEC, Casio and Hitachi — has chosen chip maker STMicroelectronics to provide the NFC controller and embedded secure element for its tough G’zOne CA-201L smartphone.

The Casio g'zOne CA 201L comes with NFC

“With the growing interest in mobile payment schemes, including NFC capabilities and a compatible secure element on our new phones was an important feature,” said Yoshifumi Sakaguchi, general manager at Casio’s common platform development division.

“The ease of integration, excellent performance, and power profile of the ST NFC controller and secure element made it an excellent choice for our G’zOne CA-201L smartphone.”

The 4G LTE compliant CA-201L is a rugged and durable Android smartphone that is waterproof, shockproof and dustproof, says Casio. The device is currently available in Korea, from carrier LG U+.

“Having quickly passed all necessary interoperability tests, including those for Korea’s T-money e-transport and e-payment technology, and leveraging ST’s leadership in SIM secure elements hardware that aids interoperability, ST’s NFC controller in the G’zOne CA-201L smartphone will soon enable innovative contactless services to end users in Korea,” says Marie-France Florentin, general manager, secure microcontrollers division at STMicro.

• Find details of all current and upcoming NFC phones in our comprehensive NFC devices list.