Near-field communication

Not to be confused with NFT.

Near-field communication
ISO/IEC and NFC Forum standards for near-field communication
The official international symbol used to identify NFC-capable devices and touchpoints.
Abbreviation	NFC
Status	Published / Standardized
Year started	2002 (Co-invented by NXP and Sony) 2004 (Establishment of the NFC Forum)
Latest version	Multiple (Maintained via NFC Forum Technical Specifications)
Organization	ISO / IEC, NFC Forum
Committee	ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 6 (Telecommunications and information exchange between systems)
Base standards	ISO/IEC 18092 (NFC-IP-1), ISO/IEC 21481 (NFC-IP-2), ISO/IEC 14443 (Proximity cards)
Related standards	RFID (HF 13.56 MHz), Bluetooth, ISO/IEC 15693 (Vicinity cards)
Predecessor	RFID, ISO/IEC 14443
Domain	Wireless communication, Mobile payment, Access control, Data transfer
License	IP licensing (NFC Forum member licensing / Fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory)
Website	nfc-forum.org

The secure element chip, an NFC chip that contains data such as the Secure Element identifier (SEID) for secure transactions. This chip is commonly found in smartphones and other NFC devices.

Near-field communication (NFC) is a set of communication protocols that enables communication between two electronic devices over a distance of 4 cm (1+1⁄2 in) or less. NFC offers a low-speed connection through a simple setup that can be used for the bootstrapping of capable wireless connections. Like other proximity card technologies, NFC is based on inductive coupling between two electromagnetic coils present on an NFC-enabled device such as a smartphone. NFC communicating in one or both directions uses a frequency of 13.56 MHz in the globally available unlicensed radio-frequency ISM band, compliant with the ISO/IEC 18000-3 air-interface standard at data rates ranging from 106 to 848 kbit/s.

The NFC Forum has helped define and promote the technology, setting standards for certifying device compliance. Secure communications are available by applying encryption algorithms, as is done for credit cards, and if they fit the criteria for being considered a personal area network.