Ecosystem

Payments processing technology provider Carta Worldwide has launched a turnkey kit that can be used by banks and mobile network operators to run an NFC prepaid payments pilot with up to 1,000 participants. The kit... More

GlobalPlatform has updated its System Messaging Specification for Management of Mobile-NFC Services to more specifically address how service providers can connect and communicate with other actors operating within the NFC ecosystem. The specification was introduced... More

"The pace of innovation in the payments industry requires a new approach that ensures innovative payment methods can be tested, approved and commercialized quickly," says Visa's Jim McCarthy.  More

"We selected Bell ID for their broad experience within multiple vertical markets and proven technical ability to manage infrastructure complexity," says Andrew Bocking, senior vice president of software product management at RIM. More

"These new agreements with Global Certification Forum (GCF), the International Air Transport Association (IATA), and the Wi-Fi Alliance will expedite the availability and use of more globally interoperable NFC-enabled solutions," says Koichi Tagawa, chairman of the NFC Forum. More

GlobalPlatform has qualified two UL test tools, the Collis Compliance Test Suite for GlobalPlatform Mapping Guidelines and the Collis Compliance Test Suite for GlobalPlatform SWP and HCI. "The qualification of these test suites results in... More

"By working together with China Mobile, we hope to show that the development of a SIM-card based approach using recognized standards will be a key factor in winning over consumer confidence as NFC services become more and more prevalent over the coming years," says Orange's Thierry Millet. More

Tivit, Finland's strategic centre for science, technology and innovation, has initiated a 'business ecosystem' called FinnTag that aims to create new and improved ways of delivering NFC tag based digital services. The venture aims to... More

The new Android 4.2 Jelly Bean mobile phone and tablet reference devices make use of a Broadcom NFC controller chip instead of the NXP chips Google used in earlier models. Broadcom has also contributed its NFC software stack to the Android Open Source Project. More

TSM software and services provider Sequent is the new owner of troubled NFC pioneer Vivotech's software division. "The acquisition enables Sequent to integrate banks and other service provider's credentials more efficiently into the secure element... More

The mobile network operators' trade association has published a technical document that sets out how carriers around the world could implement core NFC mobile wallet functions in a standard manner — and is asking potential service providers, suppliers and other interested parties to provide feedback on the plans. More

The mobile network operator is to launch commercial services in 2013 and is beginning with a pilot phase in Milan this month that will see customers being able to make payments for goods and services with an NFC version of its existing Smart Pass prepaid card. More

The Open Standard for Public Transport (OSPT) Alliance has released version 2.0 of its Cipurse open transit ticketing standard. Cipurse v2 "comprises a single, consistent set of specifications for all security, personalization, administration and life-cycle... More

The telecoms giant is adding MasterCard PayPass stickers to the mPass service it operates with Vodafone and Deutsche Telekom, allowing users of the mcommerce and ecommerce payments service to also use it to make purchases in stores. More

Auckland Transport, Telecom New Zealand and financial services group Westpac have announced they are now ready to begin their first NFC field trial. Announced in April, the trial is being run in collaboration with Gemalto,... More

The first pilots of the US mobile operators' NFC payments program in Salt Lake City and Austin, Texas will not go ahead on schedule and no new date for the launch has yet been set, says Isis. More

Chip and pin standards body EMVCo and the NFC Forum have agreed to work together to optimise the development and testing process for NFC devices. "The goal of the collaboration is to establish a framework... More

T-Mobile owner Deutsche Telekom has picked German payments processing specialist Wirecard to support its move into the mobile payments market. The strategic partnership with Wirecard follows the signing of a major mobile payments deal with... More

"We want to build a comprehensive ecosystem around mobile payment, helping Telekom to realise its strategy of being the first choice for customers regarding connected life and work," says the T-Mobile operator as it signs a partnership deal with MasterCard and outlines four "strategic pillars" for its move into financial services. More

The Canadian banking and credit union industry's Mobile Payments Reference Model provides a detailed blueprint for how NFC mobile payments can be offered in Canada, how open mobile wallets will be and how consumer privacy will be assured. More