NFC Gains Widespread Support from Global Operators
Feb 21, 2011, 8:43 AM by Eric M. Zeman
updated Feb 21, 2011, 9:44 AM
Today the GSMA announced that a large number of GSM-based mobile network operators have committed to backing near-filed communications (NFC), and will launch commercial NFC services by 2012. The group of operators includes T-Mobile USA's parent company, Deutsche Telekom, partial owner of Verizon Wireless, Vodafone, as well as Axiata Group Berhad, Bharti, China Unicom, KT Corporation, MTS, Orange, Qtel Group, SK Telecom, Softbank Mobile, Telecom Italia, Telefonica, Telekom Austria Group, and Telenor. The GSMA said that it will take on the responsibility to develop the necessary certification and testing standards to make sure that NFC services are compatible around the world. NFC can be used for actions such as mobile payments or to establish instant Bluetooth connections. Google has already thrown its support behind NFC in its Android 2.3 Gingerbread platform. A number of U.S.-based companies, including AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon Wireless, are part of a joint venture called ISIS, which will eventually bring NFC-based mobile payments to the U.S.