NFC phone penetration diagram (source idtechex.com)
NFC phone penetration diagram (source idtechex.com)

While NFC technology as a chip can be incorporated into several devices, its integration into mobile phones brings to the fore a phenomenal range of possibilities for users. Given their tremendous reach, and significant penetration across the globe, mobile phones have emerged as a perfect platform for delivering a range of digital information and online services. Mobile phones have transformed into state of art devices allowing users not only to store multimedia content in their devices and share it to other devices but also to gather instant information on products and services, and perform utility based functions such as booking tickets, making payments etc., any time and at anyplace. NFC technology helps establish connectivity between two devices in a single easy step, and simplifies use of mobile devices for performing range of functions such as gaining instant access to a web page or application, making payments, gaining access to secure area, etc.

A key factor driving the usage of NFC in mobile devices is easy device pairing for hassle free sharing of information and for performing tasks such as mobile payments, automated ticketing, e-commerce services, and peer-to-peer data transfers. Another factor driving NFC adoption is its ability to enable mobile phones to be transformed into access control devices replacing identity documents such as Smart ID cards for building access control. Introduction of new Internet enabled mobile phones, emergence of high-speed mobile internet, introduction of new applications and services based on NFC, and robust demand from developing markets such as China and India will continue to add impetus to NFC integration in mobile devices.

Rise in smartphone sales augurs well for the NFC technology, as smartphone OEMs show marked preference for integration of NFC technology in their product offerings. Rapid proliferation of smartphones with high memory capacity and Wi-Fi capabilities is driving increased consumption and storage of digital content, sharing of which with other devices is driving need for NFC. NFC when integrated into smartphones enables pairing of devices and initiates Bluetooth connectivity between two devices in a simple step, thus allowing users to easily exchange stored content between their devices. Growing need to enhance social media interactions on mobile phones is also increasingly driving NFC integration in mobile phones. Additionally, growing consumer preference for multi-player gaming on mobile phones is creating increasing need for NFC capability in mobile phones. Growing integration of NFC technology in consumer electronic devices such as DVD players, refrigerators, televisions and digital cameras as well as automated vacuum cleaners, is also driving the adoption of NFC-enabled handsets for establishing connection with these devices.

As stated by the new market research report on Near Field Communication Enabled Handsets, Asia-Pacific represents the largest regional market worldwide, while Latin America is forecast to emerge as the fastest growing market. Growth in Asia-Pacific and Latin American markets will be driven by huge population, encouraging economic growth, rising disposable incomes, increasing consumer affluence, rising ownership of smartphones, growing mobile Internet subscriptions, and subsequent rise in demand for a range of services, including payments, ticketing, booking and data sharing, among others, over mobile phones.

Major players in the market include Blackberry Limited, Broadcom Corp., Motorola Mobility Inc., HTC Corporation, Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd., Infineon Technologies AG, Lenovo Group Limited, LG Electronics, Nokia Corporation, NXP Semiconductors NV, Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., Sony Mobile Communications, STMicroelectronics NV, and ZTE Corporation, among others.

The research report titled “Near Field Communication (NFC) Enabled Handsets: A Global Strategic Business Report” announced by Global Industry Analysts Inc., provides a comprehensive review of market trends, mergers, acquisitions and other strategic industry activities. The report provides market estimates and projections for Near Field Communication Enabled Handsets in Units for all major geographic markets including the US, Canada, Japan, Europe (France, Germany, Italy, UK, Spain, Russia and Rest of Europe), Asia-Pacific (China, South Korea and Rest of Asia-Pacific), Middle East & Africa and Latin America.

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