U.S. OKs Proposed Merger between Axalto and Gemplus

Paris -- Axalto, a Luxembourg-based SIM and smart-card maker,
announced that U.S. competition authorities have approved its
proposed merger with Gemplus, a France-based smart-card
vendor. If the deal ultimately goes through, it will create the largest
smart-card maker in the world and one of the largest makers of
mobile phone cards and electronic passports. The European
Commission is still investigating the deal, which has been
challenged by France-based rival Oberthur Card Systems. "Our
confidence in the favourable reception to the merger by the other
competition authorities has been further reinforced," said Axalto
CEO Olivier Piou.
http://www.axalto.com/