Two groups of Japanese and Korean operators are set to trial NFC services in both countries. Japanese mobile operator NTT Docomo and South Korean communications firm KT have agreed to use near field communication (NFC) technologies to develop cross-border services for mobile payments, mass-transit ticketing, promotional coupons, etc. The companies will launch the services in their respective markets around the end of 2012. Meanwhile, Japanese operators KDDI and Softbank, and Korean operator SK Telecom have begun a similar alliance to test mobile payments and smart poster services.
KT and NTT Docomo are developing NFC common specifications that will be incorporated in devices as well as networks and billing platforms for seamlessly connected mobile NFC services. Customers travelling between South Korea and Japan will access the services using compatible Android handsets embedded with contactless IC chips. Docomo also plans to submit an outline of the common specifications to global industry associations and standardisation bodies, such as the GSM Association. With the ultimate goal of building an international environment for compatible NFC services, Docomo has also formed strategic tie-ups with payment technology company brand Visa, Samsung Electronics, and Gemalto. In addition, the operator will collaborate with Sumitomo Mitsui Card and bitWallet for enhanced cross-border services.
Meanwhile, KDDI, Softbank Mobile, Credit Saison, Orient, Dai Nippon Printing, Toppan Printing, and T-Engine Forum will start collaborative operation tests of mobile NFC services, which can be used both in Japan and Korea. The parties will test two different services: NFC payments and smart poster services. The NFC payment trials will use MasterCard’s PayPass technology and will be conducted by KDDI, SK Telecom, Softbank Mobile, Credit Saison, Orient, and MasterCard. Additionally, the three mobile operators will also trial a ‘T-Cash’ service which allows users to pay for goods or public transport fares via a mobile phone that is equipped with a payment-enabled USIM card on a dongle. The T-Cash application also allows users to check their mobile money balance and recharge via credit card or phone bill. The smart poster trial will be conducted by KDDI, SK Telecom, Dai Nippon Printing, Toppan Printing, and T-Engine Forum. Users will be able to obtain information from posters with an NFC tag.
