Near Field Communication

Near Field Communication (NFC) is a short-range wireless connectivity technology standard
designed for intuitive, simple and safe communication between electronic devices. NFC
communication is enabled by bringing two NFC compatible devices within a few centimeters of
one another or for the two devices to literally "touch" one another. Applications of NFC technology
include contactless transactions such as payment and transit ticketing, simple and fast data
transfers including calendar synchronization or electronic business cards and access to online
digital content.

How will you experience NFC technology? NFC makes life easier - it's easier to get information,
easier to pay for goods and services, easier to use public transport, and easier to share data
between devices. You simply bring NFC-compatible devices close to one another, typically less
than four centimeters apart.

The benefits of NFC technology are so attractive that many branded service providers are using
NFC technology to enhance their services and customer experience. NFC-enabled services are fast
and easy to use without compromising existing service security.

What everyday machines and devices are likely to be NFC-enabled?
A wide range of devices and machines are likely to become NFC enabled. Here are some examples:

• Mobile phones
• Turnstiles
• Parking meters
• Check-out cash registers or "point-of-sale" equipment
• ATMs
• Office, house and garage doors
• Personal computers
• Posters, street signs, bus stops, local points of interest (with NFC-readable tags only)
• Product packaging

How will NFC technology make life better in the future?
Thanks to NFC technology, we will be able to "pick up" information from our environment.
NFC technology allows mobile devices to "read" information stored in "tags" on everyday
objects. These can be affixed to physical objects such as posters, bus stop signs, street
signs, medicines, certificates, food packaging and much more. You will know where to find
the tag by looking for the NFC Forum "Target Mark" on the object.

Here are some examples where NFC technology can help you capture information or trigger
a chain of events.

• We all walk past billboards and posters advertising products, but how often do we
  remember to act on our interest? By adding NFC-compatible "tags" to posters and magazine
  advertisements, we can read the tags with an NFC-enabled phone and immediately act -
  before we forget.
• NFC tags can be used on special documents like parking permits, credit cards and money
  to prove authenticity.
• An NFC hologram is copy-resistant and can be cancelled if it is stolen.
• NFC enables simple and easy set-up of connections. For example, to connect a Bluetooth
  headset to a mobile phone, you just hold the devices close to each other and the connection
  automatically starts.

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