NFC Technology and Mobile Devices

Make it easy! One of the key tenets of e-Commerce and mobile marketing is to make the consumers experience easy. Don't forget the host of other vital factors for a successful campaign like making the experience memorable. But, ultimately we need to make the desired actions simple, like buying things. NFC or Near Field Communication makes transactions and many other actions through mobile devices very simple.


NFC

NFC or Near Field Communication technology is being installed on many mobile devices. The Nokia 6131 was the first to have the NFC chip. Now newer phones have NFC capability such as the Samsung Nexus S. NFC allow the mobile user to tap their device on a transmitter and receive or exchange information quickly and simply. For instance, if you are shopping and the retailer has NFC capabilities you could pay for the product or service just by tapping your device on their NFC-enabled device.

Payment options is one of the most important ways NFC will effect our lives. Other ways NFC will improve communication will be through the delivery of content, like SMS, MMS, or other rich media content. Devices entering the range of an NFC device are able to receive information from commercial sources. E-ticketing for airlines is another way NFC's will make business easier for consumers and organizations. One of the more natural uses is enabling people to share contact information, like a vCard, just by tapping devices. Networking is important to business people and casual acquaintances so facilitating this activity and making it easier is a big plus.

NFC, When and How

NFC-ready devices are expected to reach 25% of the total number of phones by 2013. That means 700 millions users will be able to communicate via NFC. The estimate for transactions should exceed $30 billion by 2012, therefore it seems plenty of people should be tapping their way to purchases and even paying bills in the very near future.

NFC builds on existing contactless technologies such as Bluetooth and WiFi and this will help adoption and usage of the NFC technology. The technology works over distances of just a couple of inches or a few centimeters. Data packet sizes are measured in kilo bits per second or kbps and range from 106 kbps to 424 kbps. NFC is usually passive and in the form of a tag that stores data that is read as accessed.

NFC is based largely on RFID technology which is used to identify packages and shipments as they pass RFID readers as shipments exit or enter a country. The RFID technology was developed to track the movement of packages and protect investments while moving within logistical pipelines. NFC is a similar technology that transmits the necessary consumer data.

So if you are familiar with this technology or just learning, the next few years you will see a broad adoption and usage of NFC. Marketers will also be looking for ways to send information via NFC through mobile devices.

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