Near field communication (abbreviated as NFC) or “near contactless communication”. Since the method in question is a form of contactless payment, which ought to be as dependable and secure as possible, the term pertains to the semantic field of data transmission and payment transactions. We will cover all you need to know about NFC in this material.
The phrase “near field communication” itself implies that NFC is a payment method that necessitates having the necessary hardware nearby. What more can we learn about NFC, then? Reading this content will reveal more.
Thus, NFC is an RFID-based wireless data transmission standard
As was previously mentioned, “Near Field Communication,” or communication between two elements that are close to one another, is what the acronym NFC stands for. In theory, the devices need to be placed a few centimeters apart for the transmission to be possible.
Consequently, NFC’s greatest advantage stems from this: it is highly resistant to external manipulation. After all, potential hackers would need to approach you in order to steal your data.
Despite having a transmission speed of 424 Kbytes, which is slower than Bluetooth, it is still fast enough to send small amounts of data in a split second, like Internet links. Thus, in contrast to other data transfer methods, NFC offers a quick, simple, and safe way to send data to a mobile phone without posing any significant security risks.
Where can we use NFC
This payment method is especially appropriate for relatively small transfers because NFC is required for data transfers over short distances. As a result, it is frequently used in the “micropayments” sector.
Data transfer between tablets and smartphones
NFC is widely used in this scenario these days. For instance, you can transfer data—such as links, contact details, or even images—with just one click when you pair two Android devices with NFC chips.
Cashless payment
A lot of supermarkets have NFC-compatible payment options. Simply place a smartphone or credit card with NFC capability up against the terminal to establish the connection and debit the necessary amount. It is substantially quicker than conventional techniques and entirely safe.
Information transfer via NFC tags
NFC chips may also be used in advertising in the future. This would allow for the transfer of information, such as a link to a website or a corresponding entry in a calendar. NFC tags will be available for private purchase, and interested parties can program specific commands onto them to use with a smartphone.
Smartphone as entrance ticket
It’s also easy to imagine that concert tickets, for instance, could be easily taken on a smartphone and presented to the reader at the entrance. NFC-fare payments have been operational in many cities for nearly years. This kind of service, for instance, is offered in many metro stations, on ground transportation, in suburban trains, and even at the zoo.
Although they are still rare, European banks also allow contactless payments. Additionally, students at certain European colleges and universities can transfer small amounts of money using the NFC chips in their ID cards.
NFC-enabled smartphones
Naturally, your smartphone needs to support NFC in order for you to use it to make cashless payments or send data wirelessly. In another article, we will look at some phone models that support NFC.