Ancient Monument, Smart Technology

Oct 1, 2004 12:00 PM

           

Each year, more than 4 million people from around the world visit the Great Wall of China. To streamline access by reducing ticket jams, fraud and system maintenance costs, the Beijing Municipal Administration and Communications Card Co. Ltd. (BMAC) has chosen contactless smart card technology from Royal Philips Electronics.

Philips' MIFARE UltraLight contactless chip technology is featured in the new e-ticketing system. Visitors obtain faster, easier and more convenient access to the popular tourist destination, as existing magnetic card access is being replaced by Philips' contactless chip technology used in a contactless smart card system.

The new e-ticketing system is compatible with Beijing's existing One-Card ticketing system, which will be used at the 2008 Olympics and will also support Beijing Public Transportation mass transit cards based on Philips' MIFARE contactless chip technology.

The contactless system is designed for outdoor use, and can withstand the hot and cold weather extremes as well as other severe weather conditions such as blowing sand encountered at the Great Wall.

Visitors will obtain access to the Great Wall of China by using chip-based smart cards as tokens and later the Beijing One-Card, thus eliminating the need for cash payments while tourist bureaus also benefit from the improved statistical collection. Contactless systems are planned to be installed at other tourist attractions, including other renowned tourist spots in Beijing and elsewhere in China.

During a trial run at the Great Wall from March to July 2004, “the system demonstrated excellent, reliable performance,” a BMAC spokesperson said.

More than 100 million MIFARE IC-based cards have been distributed in China, according to Philips.

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