One Year after Launch, NFC Forum Membership Hits 70 Organizations Worldwide

WAKEFIELD, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 22, 2006--The NFC Forum, a non-profit industry association dedicated to advancing the use of near field communication (NFC) technology by developing specifications, ensuring interoperability among devices and services and educating the market about NFC technology, has expanded its member roster to include more than 70 organizations worldwide.

Organizations joining the Forum since the second half of 2005 include new Principal level member SK Telecom and new Associate level members Atmel(R), Atos Worldline, Axalto S.A., Broadcom Corporation, Dexit, Inc., Hanchang System Corporation, PAYZY Corporation, RATP, SanDisk, Silicide, Smart Technologies Group, Sprint, Swisscom Mobile and Yoonison BV. Non-profit organizations joining the Forum include Consorzio Triveneto S.P.A, Electronics Testing Center Taiwan, FH OO Studienbetriebs GmbH , The Open Group and University of Applied Sciences of Central Switzerland.

“We are excited by the prospects for rapid adoption of NFC technology, with analysts projecting that several hundred million NFC-enabled handsets will be in consumers' hands within the next several years”

NFC is a short-range, standards-based wireless connectivity technology. It allows consumers to perform safe contactless transactions, access digital content and connect electronic devices -- with a simple, single touch. For example, consumers with NFC-enabled mobile phones could leave their wallets at home and use their phones for making contactless financial transactions or to enjoy electronic access to transport networks.

"We are excited by the prospects for rapid adoption of NFC technology, with analysts projecting that several hundred million NFC-enabled handsets will be in consumers' hands within the next several years, " says Christophe Duverne, NFC Forum Chairman. "Already, there are several successful trials of NFC technology underway in different regions, which show consumers are eager for the convenience and utility that NFC-enabled solutions will bring."

The Forum's Technical Committee and Working Groups meet regularly to develop standards-based Near Field Communication specifications that define a modular architecture for NFC devices, define protocols for interoperable data exchange, device-independent service delivery, device discovery and device capability. Quarterly face-to-face meetings facilitate working relationships between industry partners and peers. Groups meet singly and jointly to ensure that specifications are secure, fit together and leave no gaps in needed functionality.

About Near Field Communication Technology

Near Field Communication (NFC) is a standards-based, short-range wireless connectivity technology that enables simple and safe two-way interactions among electronic devices, allowing consumers to perform contactless transactions, access digital content and connect devices with a single touch.

Near Field Communication (NFC) technology evolved from a combination of contactless identification and interconnection technologies. NFC operates in the 13.56 MHz frequency range, over a typical distance of a few centimeters. The underlying layers of NFC technology are ISO, ECMA, and ETSI standards.

NFC technology is supported by all leading mobile device manufacturers and is compatible with millions of contactless cards already in use worldwide. NFC also simplifies setup of longer-range wireless technologies, such as Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.

About the NFC Forum

The NFC Forum was launched as a non-profit industry association in 2004 by leading mobile communications, semiconductor and consumer electronics companies. The Forum's mission is to advance the use of Near Field Communication technology by developing specifications, ensuring interoperability among devices and services, and educating the market about NFC technology. The Forum's 70 global member companies currently are developing specifications for a modular NFC device architecture, and protocols for interoperable data exchange and device-independent service delivery, device discovery, and device capability.

The NFC Forum's Sponsor Members, which hold seats on the Board of Directors, include leading players in key industries around the world. The Sponsor Members are: MasterCard International, Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., Microsoft Corp., Nokia, NEC, Renesas Technology, Royal Philips Electronics, Samsung, Sony Corporation, Texas Instruments and Visa International.