NFC’s slow development could cause it to lag behind other mobile payment solutions for at least six years, according to New York-based ABI Research’s latest report. In the mean time, the study notes, three existing technologies–text messaging, mobile Internet and downloadable mobile applications–have the potential to deliver what NFC so far has not. ▸

Smart card management company Bell ID, The Netherlands, has launched a mobile pilot program that can help companies migrate to NFC. It’s kit provides all the components needed, including an NFC-enabled phone, an on-the-phone wallet and an over the air application loading capability. ▸

Three French telecom operators–Orange, SFR and Bouygues Telecom have–have joined with eight retailers in the country to create a “working group” dedicated to standardizing NFC use in mobile phones.

Called the Ergosum Project, its aim is to foster a contactless mobile payments systems at the point of sale. The group wants contactless payments systems that work with all handsets, operators and retail chains. The same system should also apply to bank and loyalty cards and discount coupons, as well as be compatible with existing electronic money systems. ▸

Giesecke & Devrient has developed a mobile security card offering contactless smart-card security in addition to the usual data storage functions. The new security feature is provided by a cryptography controller with an NFC-compatible interface integrated in the microSD card along with flash memory.

The Mobile Security Card CL is designed to implement security and payment functions in cell phones and for other mobile applications. The only requirement is that they should be equipped with a slot for microSD cards. Such cards can provide security functions for all of these devices, as well as PCs and laptops, without the need for an external smart card reader. ▸

Company has come a long way from seven guys wanting to make their own contactless chips

INSIDE Contactless might never have seen the light of day had Gemplus 13-years ago accepted the suggestion of some of its engineers to begin producing its own chips. Gemplus, which later merged with Axalto to become the largest smart card producer in the world, said no and seven of its people walked away in 1995 to create their own company.

Didier Serra, INSIDE’s executive vice president of sales and managing director for North America, was one of those seven. “You have to be a bit crazy sometimes. If you’re not crazy you don’t take the risk.” ▸

UPM Raflatac, a Tampere, Finland-based supplier of pressure-sensitive RFID labels, has rolled out NFC-compliant tags designed for applications such as multi-functional media badges for music, data and movie discs and electronics pairing.

With a multi-functional NFC media badge embedded into a disc, it is possible to open hyperlinks, use ticket and payment functions and vote for the latest music hits via an NFC-compatible mobile phone. The media badge also offers a normal optical disc interface for music, pictures and movies, as well as a print surface for bar codes, 2D codes and personalized naming. ▸

Gemalto has informed the French Financial Markets Authority (AMF) of its intent to withdraw its offer for Wavecom or to adjust the terms of its offer. Wavecom is a provider of embedded wireless technology for machine-to-machine communication.

Wavecom views Gemalto’s bid as hostile and its board of director’s has recommended not selling its securities to Gemalto. The company has called for a shareholder’s meeting on Dec. 8 to discuss Gemalto’s offer.

If Wavecom makes any changes, such as increasing its share capital or paying an exceptional dividend, Gemalto could drop out of the deal, the company states.