Du, a leading telecom service provider in the UAE, showcased the near field communication (NFC)-based mobile solutions for UAE businesses at the recently concluded Gitex Technology Week in Dubai.

The NFC-based mobile solution is supported by technology supplier ViVOtech and their trust service manager (TSM) partner TeleTech ME.

NFC is a next-generation wireless technology that allows transmission of small packets of data via radio frequency identification (RFID) transponders such as mobile phones for contact-less payment transactions.

NFC holds potential use in mobile phone devices whereby customers can conveniently use their mobile phones to make purchases instead of using cash and traditional plastic payment cards.

The technology has a variety of applications including transportation, person-to-person payments, identity documentation and mobile commerce.

“It is in our DNA to be innovative and remain at the forefront of technology. This is yet another example of many innovations du brought to UAE. Last year, we introduced this as a concept to be used as an electronic wallet,” said Farid Faraidooni, chief commercial officer, du.

“This year, we are extending the NFC electronic wallet functionality to existing smart phones in a similar fashion, as was being showcased at Gitex this year. As more and more mobile device manufacturers include NFC functionalities directly into their devices, we can quickly make those future devices available in the UAE,” he added.

“We are delighted to have been associated with du in this GITEX demo,” said Michael Mullagh, ViVOtech CEO.

“We have supported du’s NFC mobile payment Pilot program and continue to pledge our support to du in their initiatives towards NFC based mobile-commerce business services.”

Niranj Sangal, CEO Teletech Middle East, said: “I look at NFC, as a technology used in near future widely for various services by almost every industry possible including mobile assisted shopping and payments.”

“This shall be a major step towards better consumer experience,” he added. – TradeArabia News Service