Toshiba has announced a new Universal SIM (USIM) card for use in mobile phones supporting the Near Field Communications (NFC) short-range wireless technology used in many contactless payment systems.

NFC technology embedded in mobile phones is being trialled by several operators, such as O2 with its Wallet programme, to offer a range of information, payment and travel options simply by touching the phone to a reader.

The technology is still facing some hurdles, and many believe that commercial rollouts are years away, but Toshiba reckons that NFC-enabled mobile services will begin to see mass adoption worldwide by 2010 or 2011.

The USIM application runs as part of the SIM card, and stores user information as well as the usual SIM functions such as storing contact and message data. This provides a secure way for the verification and transmission of account details.

According to Toshiba, the new USIM card meets the latest specifications of the European Telecommunications Standards Institute's Smart Card Platform (PDF) and the GSM Association (GSMA).

It is also compatible with the GSMA's Pay-Buy-Mobile programme, offers full support for mobile contactless services, and meets all the security levels required for international payment applications.

"The introduction of a USIM card is a significant development for Toshiba and, with our advanced mobile technology and USIM, we would like to provide new solutions to the customer," said Toshiharu Watanabe, corporate senior vice president of Toshiba and president and chief executive of Toshiba's Social Infrastructure Systems Company.

"We are also excited to support the advance of the Pay-Buy-Mobile programme promoted by GSMA, based on our technological achievements in the financial smart card sector."

Toshiba plans to release samples of the new card to mobile network operators worldwide in the third quarter of 2009.