scope:

Defines the requirements for IC cards and card terminals for telecommunication use in Europe. These requirements are to be used as a European Standard to cover multi-application cards to be used for services available on the public telecommunications networks via card operated terminals provided by the telecommunication industry. EN 726 specifies a security framework for cards and card terminals for telecommunication use. EN 726 also specifies the application independent characteristics of multi-service IC-cards, and the application independent, card related characterictics of card terminals for telecommunication use. EN 726 also covers payment methods specifically for telecommunications use namely auto-billing cards (i.e. cards which enable the personal or business telephone account of card users to be automatically billed for calls made anywhere in Europe) and prepayment cards. The purpose of EN 726 is to provide the necessary requirements and facilities for the introduction of card systems by Administrations and Network Operators. This standard aims to permit the interoperability of cards and card systems in Europe. This part of EN 726: describes the general overview and the organization of the complete Standard; - defines the general concepts including the system overview, the involved entities and the five different phases in the lifecycle of a card and a card system.