China Mobile is to roll out NFC services across China in early 2013.
The world’s largest mobile network operator made the announcement during the NFC and Mobile Money Summit in Milan, specifying that eight companies will be providing compatible handsets. These include: Samsung, HTC, Huawei, ZTE, Lenovo and Coolpad, along with two other manufacturers who remain unnamed.
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In his keynote speech, Xiong Hui, China Mobile’s vice general manager, e-commerce, revealed that UnionPay; China’s national payment network, will provide the contactless payment technology.
The two companies signed an agreement in June of this year, to co-operate on product development, technical standards, trusted service management, interoperability and common promotion of mobile payment.
In order to introduce Chinese customers to the NFC technology, UnionPay and China Mobile will build 100 demonstration points in 50 cities.
China Mobile also revealed that one manufacturer aims to have NFC functionality in half its smartphones in 2013.UnionPay meanwhile has said it plans to develop the contactless infrastructure across the country.
