THE NFC It is getting closer to Brazilians, proof that TIM has just announced a project that will test a payment solution via smartphones using this technology. The idea that in the second half of the year, customers of the operator in Rio de Janeiro and So Paulo can use their cell phone to pay the bar. The initiative is a way to further empower users and offer more security. It turns out that according to 2012 data, Brazil was ranked second among the most mobile-stolen countries in the world, just behind India. Are we really heading for a really secure payment solution using NFC?
The National Telecommunications Agency (Anatel) announced that Brazil closed 2012 with 261.78 million active lines in mobile telephony, of course that the vast majority of these devices do not have NFC technology, but it is well known that the idea of integrating More and more services and mobility in the country are on the agenda of private and state enterprises. So much so that TIM, in partnership with Ita, Mastercard, Redecard and Gemalto – digital security solutions company -, started a pilot project to test mobile phones with NFC technology in Barra da Tijuca (RJ) and Jabaquara (SP ), where are the headquarters of the operator and the bank, respectively.
The project idea
50 devices compatible with the technology were made available. Mobile PayPass, for a group of people selected by the companies involved, who can use their smartphones to pay their bills in 100 restaurants accredited for the project in the neighborhoods mentioned above.
For the test, users have the TIM Itaucard credit card and, as the customer makes purchases and accumulates points, he can exchange for devices in the operator's virtual store, for example.
How it works in practice
The merchant enters the value into the NFC-enabled Redecard POS and the user only approaches the phone to the machine. Purchases will be credited to the TIM Itaucard card and charged to the invoice sent by the bank.
Everything gets better with NFC
As many people know, I'm completely addicted to sitcoms and yesterday while watching an episode of "The Big Bang Theory"I had the memory of this tendency to make technology indispensable, even though completely unnecessary. During the scene, which you follow in the video below, one of the characters – Sheldon – states that even a hair ornament is more attractive to consumers if they rely on Bluetooth technology:
Minute 1:46 – Penny, everything gets better with Bluetooth!
This scene made me wonder if Brazilians really have both technological and security support to add a service that leaves vulnerable bank data – as in the case of credit card theft – to their smartphones. Mobile phone companies and banking institutions argue that the advantage of the new technology for the customer is the agility to make payments, which is excellent if Brazil were a safe place.
During MWC 2013, which will take place at the end of February in Barcelona, I will have the opportunity to experience NFC operation for at least three days. So far, my contact with such technology comes down to sharing YouTube videos and music lists, but what draws my attention is that in the TIM newsletter sent to the press, with explanation of how the feature works, in no time mentions if there is a PIN, password, or if you follow the same process as Google Wallet. Which made me worried.
To transmit data using the NFC feature, a frequency range is required for a distance of 10 centimeters and, as technicians define it, the process is completely safe, since information is obtained from the passive source by the active source. However, in the case of TIM's pilot project, some information about the operation of this "payment solution" is still missing.
If we take into consideration the survey conducted by F-Secure, where Brazil appears as the second most stolen country in the world, I feel right to question the use of such technology for bank payments. According to the survey, 25% of Brazilians said they had their mobile device stolen or lost. In Japan, Germany and Finland, this percentage is 2%, 3% and 4%, respectively, and I can say that here in Germany, there are very few credit card establishments and even less NFC payment – I live in Berlin two years ago and never seen one.
Thus, the fact that the media treat this initiative of TIM and partners as one of the best news of the year so far, without questioning whether Brazilians will have technological and security backing, lit me a red light. In my opinion, the NFC feature is very interesting when exchanging data that does not interfere with the financial situation of users. Do you agree?
About NFC
NFC – Near Field Communication – A data transfer system that takes place from the approximation of two devices or objects that offer the same technology. NFC is much more than just making payments, in Japan, for example, it serves as a key to unlocking the hotel room door, and in Tokyo, technology is being used in the subway system, where tickets can be purchased as you approach. from the phone to the turnstile.
Using Android smartphones such as the Samsung Galaxy S3 or HTC One XL, the NFC offers the ability to exchange online business cards or data as a playlist, without the need for bluetooth.
Image: CKR / AndroidPIT
. (tagsToTranslate) tim launches nfc payment project brazil (t) NFC payment solution
