Mobile - Interface for NFC

GSM Association supports SWP interface for NFC functionality

The board of the GSM Association (GSMA), at a meeting on November 17 in Macau, China, announced its support for SWP (Single Wireless Protocol) as the interface standard between NFC (near field communication) chipsets and SIM cards to provide handset-based contact-less NFC services.

SWP is endorsed by the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) and has been largely promoted by Gemalto NV and NXP Semiconductors, both headquartered in the Netherlands.

Amid its efforts to promote SWP-based NFC, GSMA is implementing the Pay-Buy-Mobile initiative with 45 mobile telecom carriers around the world having launched NFC services on a trial basis. The 45 companies include AT&T, Orange, Vodafone, Softbank Mobile, China Mobile Communications as well as Chunghwa Telecom and Far EasTone Telecommunications in Taiwan. SWP-based NFC-enabled handsets will be initially available in mid-2009, according to industry sources.