NuvoLinQ partners with BICS and Kigen for secure point-of-sale connectivity
IoT solutions company NuvoLinQ has launched a new eSIM offering for ultra-reliable, ultra-secure cellular point-of-sale (POS) connectivity in partnership with eSIM and IoT heavyweights BICS (a Proximus company) and Kigen. The solution offers backup connectivity options to ensure uninterrupted operations, allowing payment systems—such as card readers at retail stores or kiosks—to securely transmit and receive data, effectively safeguarding against fraud.
As cash payments grow less popular, reliable and secure poins-of-sale to process card payments is becoming increasingly important. However, modern payment terminals are more than just cash registers or card machines. They often track inventory, customer needs, loyalty programs, and various data and analytic functions. This makes reliable and secure internet connectivity a must. Using a private cellular (i.e. 4G, 5G) connection, instead of the retailer’s regular network (e.g. WiFi), is more effective in protecting payment data from hackers or unauthorised access, also known as snooping threats. And, since there is no competition for bandwidth, it also ensures reliable connectivity.
“IoT has always held untapped potential for secure reliable payments, and this latest solution takes it to the next level”, says Maurizio Tersigni, the CEO of NuvoLinQ. “Developed alongside the strongest players in the market, it raises the bar for the security and availability of POS data. It’s a positive step for companies deploying POS hardware and for the small and medium-sized businesses that rely on these technologies to keep their operations every day.”
The solution uses a MFF4 eSIM, provided by Kigen, that consumes far less power than a traditional SIM and crucially, comes loaded with two profiles. This means the device can connect to two different networks, giving redundancy in the event of a network outage. POS outages can cost merchants millions in lost revenue, and as society becomes increasingly cashless, the reliability of the network supporting POS is only becoming more important.
Besides stability and security, the other benefit of the solution is its low-touch setup and management. NuvolinQ’s eSIMs come with a bootstrap (pre-installed and pre-configured) profile for easy setup and provisioning in the field, built on latest eSIM IoT standards through Kigen’s eIM solution. NuvoLinQ is also using BICS ‘SIM for Things’ platform for instant connectivity and a portal to manage and monitor devices. POS devices will connect via BICS’ IPX network, which is fully isolated from the public internet, further strengthening security.
“While manufacturers might associate IoT connectivity as a complex challenge, partnerships like this simplify the process significantly, Just as customers expect to pay with one tap, this solution means point-of-sale manufacturers can deliver reliable, secure connectivity to their devices via a single touchpoint,” says Surash Patel, the managing director of BICS.
In North America, POS fraud increased by 27% last year. EMV (Europay, Mastercard and Visa) regulation dictates that the banks and retailers may be liable for the cost of POS fraud if unsecure technology is utilised. This is prompting more and more banks to offer their own POS hardware, opening up revenue streams to combat what might be lost to fraud.
Vincent Korstanje, the CEO at Kigen, adds: “Even advanced POS systems rely on swapping SIM cards to switch providers, leading to downtime and fraud risks. Kigen’s compact eSIM technology, with dual profiles and the Kigen IoT eSIM remote manager (eIM) solution, simplifies the secure connectivity businesses and consumers can trust. Supporting IoT-driven payments, this solution also embraces innovations that are shaping the future of transactions.”
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