In addition, Visa International has expressed its intent to license the multiple application framework. American Express also announced today the formation of the Interoperability Consortium, an independent and open body that will govern the multiple application framework standard. In addition, the licensing agreement allows companies to easily extend their licenses to other customers, members, developers and suppliers. The licensing of our framework to other companies, including some of our competitors, demonstrates our steadfast commitment to achieving global and open interoperability for multiple application smart cards. It also shows our commitment to creating a stable environment in which companies can safely invest their time and resources to build innovative smart card solutions.
Interoperability is the key to smart card adoption on a global scale.
By opening its multi-application framework, American Express is demonstrating that interoperability should transcend competitive differences. In each of these pilots, corporate business travelers used their smart cards to speed through check-in points at airports and Hilton hotels. The smart cards also offered enhanced loyalty and rewards programs. The American Express smart card framework contains a detailed description of the data, files and structure of the multiple functions and applications contained on a smart card. The Interoperability Consortium will ensure an open process for proposing and considering changes to the framework, certify compliance, and promote the specification.