NFC technology and the mobile phone. It doesnt matter what you call it...its on its way!
Its all go in the world of Near-Field-Communication (NFC) technology and mobile phones today. While the Evening Standard reports (on its front page!), on the 'Go-ahead for Oyster Phones' in London, BWCS report that the Japanese Government are to work in conjunction with Japanese mobile phone operators to promote the global use of 'Mobile Wallet' services.
Ok so ‘The Evening Standard’ has named NFC mobiles ‘Oyster Phones’ and we previously tagged them as 'Swipe Phones'....but the technologies the same. In-fact the technology seems to have gained a multitude of names including; 'M-Banking', the 'Mobile Wallet', the 'Swipe Phone', and evidently the 'Oyster Phone', but what remains integral, despite the name, is the use of NFC. NFC, as used in the Oyster card system, enables consumers to swipe a card, or mobile phone in this case, over a sensor to create a contactless payment system. In fact, NFC technology purchases will not stop at 'contactless payments'. As the technology becomes more widespread larger payments will evidently be made, resulting in security issues with cases of fraud likely. However, for now the technology will be used in contactless instances.
The exclusive report from ‘The Evening Standard’ follows the successful 6 month trial from O2 using Nokia handsets at Theatres, Festivals, and other venues across London. O2 are to work with payment firms, TFL and other phone makers to help ensure the technology becomes a reality, from paying for the tube to paying for food and drinks with the inbuilt credit card chip. As a result the 'Oyster phone' system could be a here as quickly as next year and thus work to make 2012 the first cashless Olympics.
On a wider scale, the 'Oyster Phone' was given large endorsement from the Japanese Government as aforementioned. Using technology based upon Sony’s Felicia chips the Japanese Government hope to spread contactless payments via mobile phones worldwide. The technology has already been in use for the past 3 years in Japan, allowing commuters to pay for rail tickets by swiping their mobile phones.
The ‘Oyster Phone’ has then received two huge boosts today towards establishing itself as an integral part of UK consumers lives. However its certainly taken its time to get the right backing on UK shores....it cant falter now can it?
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1. At 8 Sep 2008 05:55, Dave Birch wrote:
"As the technology becomes more widespread larger payments will evidently be made, resulting in security issues with cases of fraud likely."
Why are they "likely"? Surely it will be much harder to forge an NFC phone that a magnetic stripe card, won't it?
2. At 8 Sep 2008 08:02, Colin Batten wrote:
I agree it will be much harder to forge an NFC phone than a magnetic strip card, but the technology will of course become the target of fraudsters as with any payment transaction process.
Until consumers have used the technology, or seen it used without complication or crime, there will undoubtedly be some hesitation from large swathes of the population.
When the masses do flock to NFC phones (and I believe they will) we must be aware that the criminals will (attempt) to follow.