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Use of smart cards in public sector rises in 2011
9 Jan 2012

Smart cards were increasingly used in the public sector last year, according to new research.

Market research firm RNOCS has published a new report which shows that the number of smart cards used in the government and healthcare sector rose by around 18 per cent in 2011 compared to last year. Overall, the number of microprocessor smart cards shipped last year is expected to have reached 6.1 billion in 2011.

The Smart Card Market Forecast to 2014 report has estimated that this figure will continue to rise over the coming years as more governments across the world embrace contactless smart card technology.

The report stated: "Governments are putting in place the legal framework to leverage strong identity credentials for eGovernment, eHealth and eCommerce. Smart technology-based healthcare ID cards are also being issued in many countries."

Pointing to the successful introduction of the micro-payment segment in Asia, the US and Europe, the report claims the "future looks promising" for the smart card market.