| As mobile phones become more and more central to | | | | "contactless transactions". |
| our lives, the desire to have them serve more | | | | NFC technology isn't as widespread in the UK as it is in |
| purposes has grown. In the future, the hope is that | | | | other parts of the world, and this is one of the main |
| mobile phones' will become a multi-purpose swipe card, | | | | reasons we are falling behind. Also, agreeing upon a |
| used for nearly everything from getting into buildings to | | | | standard technology is proving difficult as there are so |
| paying for lunch. | | | | many companies involved, from banks to SIM card |
| Compared to certain countries in East Asia and the | | | | manufactures. |
| US, where such technology is emerging rapidly, the UK | | | | This however, hasn't discouraged a few companies in |
| is somewhat behind. | | | | the UK who are currently conducting a trial involving |
| In Taiwan for instance, there is a system in place that | | | | 500 users, which allows them to use their mobiles as a |
| allows users to use their mobiles to scan money-off | | | | cashless payment tool on London's tube system. |
| coupons straight off product posters and then redeem | | | | Users will also be able to download journey information |
| these by scanning again at the checkout. | | | | from "smart posters" on certain parts of the tube. |
| The technology making this possible is known as | | | | A subset of around 200 of these users are also able |
| Near-Field Communications or NFC, and enables | | | | to use their mobile phones as a payment method for |
| two-way communications between a tag and a | | | | small goods, with a range of retailers supporting the |
| reader when they're within a few centimetres. | | | | trial. |
| Transactions made this way are often dubbed | | | | |