If the I-card can create a signature, then I guess it has a certificate under the covers. In which case I would not expect the certficate to be more costly.

(2) I’d like to know if your cost estimates include the consequential costs associated with breaking down silos when an I-card issued in one domain is recognised in another. The hidden and usually fatal cost in federated ID systems (or reduced sign on systems) comes from the legal and risk analysis needed firstly by credential issuers when faced with unexpected uses for their credentials, and secondly by relying parties when faced with accepting credentials they have less control over.