Apple's forthcoming iPhone 5 is not expected to support mobile payments via Near Field Technology (NFC) despite a recent surge in interest in the service, and its addition to the Android OS. Citing sources at the UK mobile networks, the Independent newspaper said that Apple had disclosed in meetings that it would not add NFC to the next generation iPhone.
One source close to the discussions said: "The new iPhone will not have NFC, Apple told the operators it was concerned by the lack of a clear standard across the industry."
However, there is speculation about Apple's motives as it is understood to be developing its own iTunes based NFC payment platform which would compete with the services being planned by the mobile networks, who are typically working with banks on rolling out the necessary hardware into retailers and travel locations.
Carolina Milanesi, analyst at Gartner, told the newspaper: "Nokia has talked about this for years and nothing happened. When Google and Apple talk about it, NFC will happen."
However, earlier, all the major mobile networks committed to launch commercial NFC services in select markets by the end of this year. The GSMA is currently developing the necessary certification and testing standards to ensure global interoperability of NFC services, cellular-news reports.
