OPINION: 2010 is set to be a key year for NFC as mobile network operators, banks and potential service providers switch from small scale trials to pre-commercial pilots in readiness for the first commercial launches in 2011.
There are still key issues to be resolved before near field communication is ready for full scale commercial launches, of course. But talking to leading players in the industry for our new report, NFC: The Road to Commercial Deployment, it’s clear that the final barriers could all be overcome in the year ahead.
2010 won’t be plain sailing, however. As we move towards the first large scale commercial launches in 2011, potential service providers will be keen to ensure they are in a position to take maximum advantage of the business opportunities NFC offers. It’s going to be an interesting twelve months…
Sarah Clark, Editor
Next: Visit the NFCW Expo to find new suppliers and solutions
as much as i would like for nfc to take off, i disagree. 2010 will be another year of trials and more trials and no real deployments.
ceo
Absolutely, I completely agree with you. 2010 will be a really important year for resolving issues to do with the business case for NFC, handset availability and more. Finding solutions to those issues will require lots more trials during 2010 so that the first commercial deployments can begin in 2011.
I agree wth Enrique. Until and unless MNOs, CIBs, and merchants agree to a mutally agreable/profitable business model, it will be another tough year.
However I believe strongly that solutions built around NFC cards/readers functions embedded on SIMcards (SIMPass) will allow operators to offer NFC solutions at very affordable costs without waiting for NFC enabled-handsets to hit the market!