	About Smart Cards : Applications : NFC

NFC Resources

NFC technology is a standards-based wireless communication technology that allows data to be exchanged between devices that are a few centimeters apart. NFC operates at 13.56 MHz and transfers data at up to 424 Kbits/second.

NFC is distinguished by its intuitive interface and its ability to enable largely proprietary wireless networking platforms to interoperate in a seamless manner. The primary uses are to:

Connect electronic devices, such as wireless components in a home office system or a headset with a mobile phone
Access digital content, using a wireless device such as a cell phone to read a “smart” poster embedded with an RF tag
Make contactless transactions, including those for payment, access and ticketing

NFC-enabled mobile applications include:

Making payments with a wave or a touch anywhere contactless card readers have been deployed
Reading information and “picking up” special offers, coupons and discounts from smart posters or smart billboards
Storing tickets to access transportation gates, parking garages or get into events
Storing personal information that will allow secure building access

When used for mobile contactless payment, NFC-enabled mobile phones incorporate smart chips (called secure elements) that allow the phones to securely store the payment application and consumer account information and to use the information as a “virtual payment card.” NFC payment transactions between a mobile phone and a POS terminal use the standard ISO/IEC 14443 communication protocol currently used by EMV and U.S. contactless credit and debit cards.

NFC-enabled mobile phones can also be used for chip-enabled mobile marketing applications – coupons, loyalty programs and other marketing offers that can add significant value for merchants, issuers and the mobile ecosystem.

NFC will soon be available as standard functionality in many mobile phones and will allow consumers to perform safe contactless transactions, access digital content, and connect electronic devices simply. An NFC chip in a mobile device can act as a card or a reader or both, enabling consumer devices to share information and to make secure payments quickly.

Smart Card Alliance Resources on NFC and Mobile Payments
Smart Card Alliance Resources on Contactless and Transit Payments
Industry Organizations
Other Industry Resources
NFC: Recent News

Smart Card Alliance Resources on NFC and Mobile Payments

Chip-Enabled Mobile Marketing slide show
Chip-Enabled Mobile Marketing white paper and slide show
Expert Series Videos: NFC/Mobile Payments
The Mobile Payments and NFC Landscape: A U.S. Perspective
NFC Frequently Asked Questions
Proximity Mobile Payments: Leveraging NFC and the Contactless Financial Payments Infrastructure, Smart Card Alliance Payments Council white paper
Proximity Mobile Payments Business Scenarios: Research Report on Stakeholder Perspectives, Smart Card Alliance Payments Council white paper
Security of Proximity Mobile Payments, Smart Card Alliance Payments Council white paper
Smart Card Alliance Payments Council

Smart Card Alliance Resources on Contactless and Transit Payments

Co-Branded Multi-Application Contactless Cards for Transit and Financial Payment, Smart Card Alliance Transportation Council white paper
Contactless Payments: Frequently Asked Questions, Smart Card Alliance Payments Council publication
Issuer and Merchant Best Practices: Promoting Contactless Payments Usage and Acceptance, Smart Card Alliance Payments Council white paper
Smart Card Alliance Payments Council
Smart Card Alliance Transportation Council

Additional white papers and presentations can be found on the Transportation Council web pages.

Industry Organizations

The NFC Forum is the industry association that develops specifications and does educational outreach about NFC technology.

The following organizations are involved in establishing standards/specifications or in defining business processes and practices for mobile technology and mobile payments.