What is NFC?

NFC stands for Near Field Communication and it is a convenient technology that lets you transfer data without needing to pair devices or even touch the device. Long gone are the days where you need to swipe/insert a card, or even carry a wallet! Credit card companies have included an NFC tag in their cards and phones have integrated payment methods so that you can hold the card/device above the payment terminal and be on your way! This blog post will simply go over NFC, how it works, examples, pros/cons, examples, and how it compares with Bluetooth.

Simple definition of NFC: Convenient technology that lets you transfer small amounts of data over a distance of at most 10 centimeters.

How does it work?

NFC transmits data through electromagnetic radio fields to enable two devices to communicate with each other. Those two devices require an NFC chip so that they can interact with each other. In order for the data to transfer, the devices but be within at most 10 centimeters. You can hold one device very closely or quickly tap to make the transaction successfully.

Common Examples of NFC

Payments

Pay for things quickly by tapping your phone using contactless payments system like Apple/Android/Google Pay or a physical credit card to a payment acceptance device. 

Tickets

NFC is the technology behind the subway tickets you wave over the card readers before you go through a turnstile. 

Identity

If you have a work badge or college dorm pass that you hold close to another device that lets you into the building, that is NFC working. 

Pros of NFC

• Fast

Connects within one-tenth of a second. This fast connectivity speed makes it ideal for handling secure payments. 

• Secure

  • Reduced theft and ticket fraud.

  • NFC establishes a secure connection and uses encryption when sending sensitive information such as credit card numbers. 

  • Less pone to interferences from other devices and people since the distance is short.

• Versatile

  • This technology works with many different payment systems, NFC devices.

Cons of NFC

If you are using an electronic device, you are relying on it to have power so that you can use the NFC technology. Also, with the amount of data that is stored on a user’s electronic device, there is a risk of it being lost or stolen which opens up the opportunity for your information to be taken by someone else and be used against you.

How is NFC different from Bluetooth?

	NFC	Bluetooth
Technology	Electromagnetic radio fields	Direct radio transmissions
Power Consumption	Less	More. So, if you aren’t using it and want to preserve your battery, turn it off.
Range	Up to 10 cm	Up to 0 meters
Data transfer Speed	At most 424 kilobits/second	1-3 Megabits/second
Pairing Speed	It only takes less than 1/10th of a second to establish a connection between two NFC devices	Speed can vary
Simultaneous Connectivity	Supports only 2 devices at a time	Can support up to 8 devices at a time

So, the next time you experience one of the examples I mentioned, think about NFC and how easy it makes your life! Share this with your friends and family and stay tuned for more simplified technology explanations.