Standardised NFC functions to go into all mobile handsets next year

The GSMA has called for full NFC (near field communication) functionality - including the standardised single Wire Protocol interface - to be built into commercially available mobile handsets from mid-2009. The GSMA made the announcement this week from Macau where its board is meeting at Asia Mobile Congress, and claims the move should ensure that consumers can reap the benefits of mobile payment services as soon as possible.