Abstract: A system and device allowing for an inexpensive smartcard terminal is disclosed, particularly where more than one scheme is required to be supported. Remote terminals 20 receive smartcards 10 and establish a communication link 30 with a base station. Each remote terminal uses a scheme independent application 24 to interface with the smartcard 10—the base terminal includes the necessary terminal applications 43-45, a scheme selector 40, and establishes links to host systems 80-82. This arrangement allows for reduced complexity and cost in the remote terminals, while allowing for multiple and/or complex applications to be supported.