Near field communication, or NFC, allows for simplified transactions, data exchange, and wireless connections between two devices in close proximity to each other, usually by no more than a few centimeters. NFC has three uses:

1. Connect electronic devices
2. Access digital content
3. Contactless transactions

NFC has been available with MasterCard Paypass for years. NFC can be used for mobile phone payments, in conjunction with an electronic wallet. Google launched it’s Google Wallet in early 2011. There are significant limitations at this time, however, Google developed the operating system for the Android smart phones and recently also purchased Motorola Mobility Holdings Inc. for $12.5B. With that heavy investment, plus Visa and MasterCard’s push, we can expect some adoption of the technology.

Will NFC become the US standard for mobile payments? I have my doubts. Visa announced incentives for merchants to offer NFC in August 2011.  I predict that there will be heavy penetration in US market for chip-enabled credit cards but that chip enabled mobile payments may remain elusive as the leading mobile solution. SMS can be used with any cell phone and wouldn’t it be better to reach everyone, rather than the minority few worldwide that have the ‘right’ device? Plus, at this point, there is not even consensus on NFC standards. With Google controlling manufacturing, we can expect they will exert some control over future standards.

• Merchants will need to buy or update equipment. Most units retail for over $700 per unit, excluding a receipt printer.  Major department stores may have the capability, but most other businesses do not.
• Merchants need to interface with technology to process the transactions. For example, CenPOS.
• Consumer needs to have an NFC device. Smart phones only account for 1 in 4 mobile phones as of 2011. NFC capable smart phones is a tiny fragment, with the first units just being tested mid-year 2011.
• Japan is arguably the most advanced cell phone market on earth, yet NFC is not widely used. Instead SMS is king.

Is NFC secure? This is an age old argument. NFC is not new technology but then again,  the US infrastructure for payment processing has had little to no innovation in the last three to four decades. Personally, I’m not trusting NFC with my cell phone.

Is NFC good for merchants? Yes. Merchants may benefit in the future if interchange is adjusted lower to reflect the purported lower risk associated with EMV chip credit and debit cards. Additionally, Visa is waving PCI DSS, however, MasterCard and American Express have not offered the incentive.

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Is NFC Secure Enough?
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Credit Cards to become obsolete? by CBS News
NFC (Near Field Communications) – Was this near sighted?, by Oracle

Approved Contactless EMV reader Products, by EMVco, which is owned by American Express, Visa, JCB, MasterCard et al to maintain global standards.

ViVOtech Ships EMV Payments and NFC mCommerce-Ready Reader

ViVOpay 8100 Designed to Meet Visa Technology Innovation Program; Potential Savings to Merchants of $2 Billion Annually by Eliminating PCI-DSS Validation Cost

SANTA CLARA, CA–(Marketwire – Aug 17, 2011) – ViVOtech, the near field communication (NFC) software and systems company, today announced the immediate availability of a new point of sale (POS) terminal for payments and NFC mobile commerce that could save eligible merchants more than $2 billion a year in annual Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI-DSS) validation costs under a Visa Inc. initiative.
ViVOtech’s new ViVOpay 8100 terminals accept traditional swipe cards with magnetic stripes, chip cards, contactless cards, and NFC-enabled mobile phones, as required by the Visa initiative announced last week to accelerate the migration to Eurocard-MasterCard-Visa (EMV) contact and contactless chip technology in the United States.

To motivate merchants, Visa announced on August 9, 2011: “Effective October 1, 2012, Visa will expand its Technology Innovation Program (TIP) to the U.S. TIP will eliminate the requirement for eligible merchants to annually validate their compliance with the PCI Data Security Standard for any year in which at least 75 percent of the merchant’s Visa transactions originate from chip-enabled terminals. To qualify, terminals must be enabled to support both contact and contactless chip acceptance, including mobile contactless payments based on NFC technology.”

The industry association Smart Card Alliance estimates annual PCI-DSS fraud-protection validations cost businesses more than $2 billion a year.

“Viva Visa!” said Michael (Mick) Mullagh, CEO of ViVOtech, which has shipped more than 850,000 contactless and NFC readers worldwide. “It’s about time the U.S. joins the rest of the world, which has been using highly secure contact and contactless chip technology for nearly a decade. We applaud Visa’s efforts to advance adoption here. And, we have the affordable technology available today in the new ViVOpay 8100 for merchants to take advantage of Visa’s incentives while benefiting from rich NFC mobile commerce.”

Much More than EMV-Ready
The new ViVOpay 8100 includes ViVOtech NFC checkout technology that enables merchants to accept and process coupons, personalized offers, loyalty programs and payments through the merchant’s proprietary mobile applications.

With the ViVOpay 8100, consumers just insert, swipe or tap their payment cards, or tap their NFC mobile phones to pay or electronically redeem a coupon or discount voucher. The device also accepts Personal Identification Number (PIN) entry for secure debit transactions. Combined with ViVOtech’s mLoyalty, coupons, and social networking software, the ViVOpay 8100 allows merchants to deliver personalized services to customers’ NFC-enabled mobile phones.

The ViVOpay 8100 works with the most popular payment terminals and electronic cash register (ECR) systems used by merchants today, adding powerful new capabilities that include:

* PCI 2.1 certification: Highly secure PIN pad provides protection from obsolescence beyond 2014.
* Integrated mobile payments and promotions module: Built-in support for NFC mobile payments, marketing and loyalty programs.
* Support for multiple transactions: Enables Chip-and-PIN and signature-based credit and debit transactions using mag-stripe, contactless and NFC mobile phones.
* ISO 14443 contactless and ISO 18092 peer-to-peer NFC, and MiFare Technologies.
* Remote download: Post-deployment firmware updates via remote download eliminate the need for additional hardware or device resetting.
* Customer-friendly keypad: Compliant with standards for the visually disabled, with a recessed keyboard providing maximum privacy.
* Advanced connectivity: Ethernet connectivity along with serial and USB communication support for multiple connectivity options to work with a versatile set of mobile-enabled applications.

The ViVOpay 8100 is designed to meet Visa Technology Innovation Program (TIP) requirements as well as support new NFC-based mCommerce opportunities. The new reader comes with a secure 32-bit ARM9 processor, the Linux operating system, 16MB Flash, 32MB SDRAM, as well as integrated EMV smart card, contactless NFC and mag-stripe readers. To learn more or to purchase the ViVOpay 8100, visit: http://www.vivotech.com/products/vivo_pay/vivopay_8100.asp.

About ViVOtech
ViVOtech, the near field communication (NFC) software and systems company, enables rich mobile commerce solutions for in-store payment, loyalty, marketing, and merchandising. Merchant, payment, mobile, web and advertising companies use ViVOtech solutions to enhance customer experience and grow their business. ViVOtech’s NFC software and systems are the broadest, most tested and deployed worldwide. Founded in 2001, Silicon Valley-based ViVOtech provides the key building blocks of the NFC ecosystem: smart applications for enhancing the customer experience, wallet and trusted service manager (TSM) software, and point of sale systems. ViVOtech’s investors include Alloy Ventures, Citi Ventures, Draper Fisher Jurvetson, DFJ Gotham, EDBI, First Data Corporation, Miven Ventures, Motorola Mobility, Motorola Solutions, Nokia Growth Partners, NCR, SingTel Innov8 and Sprint. Join the NFC revolution at

Ingenico Reacts Positively to Plans by the Card Association to Bring Smart Card technology to the U.S; Added Security Features to Reduce Card Fraud for Retailers and Cardholders

Atlanta, GA — August 16, 2011. Ingenico, the leading worldwide provider of payment devices and services, reacted positively to the recent announcement by VISA Inc. to accelerate the migration to EMV contact and contactless chip technology in the United States. Boasting the largest installed base of EMV-enabled terminals (over 15 million) globally, Ingenico sees the arrival of the smart card technology as the next logical step in preparing the U.S. payments ecosystem to benefit from the international interoperability and newly emerging non-traditional NFC-enabled mobile payments technology. The EMV and other next generation chip-based payment technologies will enhance the current payment infrastructure in the U.S. by positioning it to accept and handle chip transactions, and securing payments through the use of dynamic card authentication. The added security features that promise to reduce the impact of card-based fraud will benefit both retailers and cardholders.

With our global presence and multiple successful EMV card migrations around the world, including most recently Canada, we have accumulated an unparalleled level of EMV expertise and knowledge,” said Thierry Denis, president of Ingenico, North America. “We fully understand chip-based technology benefits for retailers and cardholders and are uniquely qualified to lead the U.S. migration to EMV and contactless acceptance. Not only will chip technology reduce fraud levels for merchants and card issuers, it will also provide American consumers with the flexibility and convenience to use their payment cards outside of the U.S. where they can not currently do so. ”

For the past 12 months Ingenico has been anticipating and preparing for the migration of EMV card technology in the U.S. and serves on many committees to bolster broader awareness of this technology. Ingenico is the only terminal manufacturer represented on the EMVCo. Board of Advisors, the governing body of the EMV Integrated Circuit Card Specifications for chip-based payment cards and acceptance devices, and is a member of the Leader Council of the Smart Card Alliance, a non-profit association driving the understanding and adoption of smart card technology in the U.S.

With VISA’s moves to accelerate EMV and mobile payments adoption in the United States, now is the time for EMV-savvy leaders of the acceptance market to step up to the challenge and provide the education, support and programs needed to help merchants ensure a smooth transition,” said Randy Vanderhoof, executive director of the Smart Card Alliance.

Driven by its strategic vision based upon innovation and security, Ingenico has successfully helped shape the migration and development of chip-based smart card payment infrastructure for its customers around the world. Today, the company continues on its path of innovation by responding to rapidly changing customer needs with high-performing products and innovative solutions needed to support the new forms of payment including mobile, contactless and NFC.

Ingenico has made significant changes to its product mix and organization in North America during the first half of 2011. We are growing in capacity, but more importantly we are adding critical industry expertise such as EMV and NFC to our already capable team,” said Gregory Boardman, senior vice president of Product & Development, Ingenico, North America. “Through investment in new contact and contactless technology, people and processes, we are well-positioned to help U.S.-based customers migrate to EMV and NFC acceptance. Our entire line of TELIUM products, which is certified to the latest PCI security standard, comes standard with integrated EMV card readers and options for integrated NFC acceptance. ”

Visa is announcing plans to accelerate the migration to contact chip and contactless EMV chip technology in
the U.S. The adoption of dual-interface chip technology will help prepare the U.S. payment infrastructure for the
arrival of Near Field Communication (NFC)-based mobile payments by building the necessary infrastructure to
accept and process chip transactions.

Not only will chip technology accelerate mobile innovations, it is also expected to enhance payment security
through the use of dynamic authentication. Chip technology greatly reduces a criminal’s ability to use stolen
payment card data by introducing dynamic values for each transaction. Even if payment card data is
compromised, a counterfeit card would be unusable at the point of sale (POS) without the presence of the
card’s unique elements. By eliminating static authentication, we reduce the value of stolen cardholder data,
benefiting all stakeholders.

Visa’s plan includes merchant incentives to upgrade to EMV chip-enabled terminals, requirements for acquirer
processors to support chip acceptance and the introduction of U.S. liability shift policies.

Specifically, Visa will waive Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) compliance validation
requirements to encourage merchant investment in contact and contactless chip payment terminals. Visa will
also require acquirer processors to ensure that their systems support dynamic data acceptance (i.e., chip) and
will institute a domestic and cross-border counterfeit liability shift.

Visa’s Counterfeit Liability Shift Policies

Visa intends to institute a liability shift in the U.S. for domestic and cross-border counterfeit transactions
effective 1 October 2015. Visa’s global POS counterfeit liability shift policies are designed to encourage EMV
chip card issuance and acceptance in participating geographical regions, effectively creating a more secure
environment for transactions within and between each participating Visa region. Note: The liability shift
encourages chip transactions because any chip-on-chip transaction (i.e., a chip card read by a chip terminal)
provides dynamic authentication data, which helps to better protect all parties.

With this type of liability shift, the party that is the cause of a chip-on-chip transaction not occurring (i.e., either
the issuer or the merchant’s acquirer) will be financially liable for any resulting card-present counterfeit fraud
losses. When a transaction occurs using chip technology, any liability for counterfeit fraud, though unlikely,
would follow current Visa Operating Regulations.

The policy assigns liability for counterfeit fraud to the party that has not made the investment in EMV chip cards
(issuers) or terminals (merchants’ acquirers). The policy encourages wider deployment of EMV cards and
terminals.

EMV chip implementation is accelerating globally. Today, excluding the U.S., 44 percent of all cards are EMV
chip cards, and 74 percent of all terminals are EMV chip-capable, with 62 percent of cross-border transactions
conducted with a chip card at a chip terminal.

U.S. Participation Introduced in Global Counterfeit Liability Shift Policy

Visa plans that effective 1 October 2015, the U.S. will be included in the Global POS Liability Shift Policy, which
will apply to all issuers and merchants’ acquirers in the U.S., with the exception of transactions at Automated
Fuel Dispensers (AFDs). Transactions made at AFDs will be excluded from the liability shift for a period of two
(2) years due to the challenges faced by the petroleum industry in upgrading terminals to accept EMV chip
cards. Similarly, effective 1 October 2017, transactions made at AFD terminals will be included in the Global
POS Liability Shift Policy.

Note: This liability shift policy change excludes counterfeit fraud at U.S. ATMs. Visa will continue to evaluate
the potential for an expansion to include ATMs.

Preparing for Payment Technology Evolution

As the U.S. point-of-sale payment infrastructure continues to evolve from the static magnetic stripe to intelligent
devices such as EMV chip cards and Near Field Communication (NFC) mobile phones, this liability shift policy
change will help ensure that the acceptance infrastructure is ready. It will also allow acquirers, merchants and
issuers to invest in new technology to ensure that cardholders can continue to make secure and frictionless
transactions across all channels.

Atlanta, GA (PRWEB) August 15, 2008 — Ingenico, the world’s leader in secure transactions and payment solutions, announced today that they have received Class A certification for their payment transaction terminals running the new EuroPay MasterCard Visa (EMV) application created for Chase Paymentech Solutions. The Ingenico i3070, i5310 and i7780 terminals, running the EMV application, will allow Chase Paymentech merchants to accept chip-enabled credit cards. These credit cards contain a small microchip that securely stores encrypted data using sophisticated security programs. Cardholders must enter a PIN at the time of purchase to complete a transaction. This “chip and pin” combination provides a much higher level of protection against unauthorized or fraudulent use of a credit card.

“Chase Paymentech’s certification of the Ingenico terminals is another example of Chase Paymentech’s ongoing commitment to provide advanced technological solutions to its merchants and partners in Canada,” said Paul Browne, VP, Operations for Chase Paymentech Solutions. “As the Canadian payment card industry moves towards chip technology, the EMV standard will provide an even more secure payment environment; assist in reducing card fraud and increase security of card transactions.”

“The requirement for PIN entry on credit card purchases is changing the way restaurants manage card acceptance,” said Lisa Shipley, Sr. VP, Sales & Marketing, Ingenico North America. “Restaurants are now beginning to use Ingenico’s portable and secure payment terminals, allowing the server to bring the transaction directly to the customer. Our product offerings provide a number of solutions that fit many needs, and the software and certification from Chase Paymentech ensure that each transaction is not only convenient, but safe and secure.”

Ingenico’s i5310, i3070 and i7780 are chip-enabled products using the new EMV application. The terminals prompt users of chip-enabled cards for a PIN number on credit card transactions. The i7780, featuring Ingenico’s Pay@Table solution, is a portable and secure payment terminal that allows the server to bring the payment terminal to the table. The i5310 adds the convenience of a built-in, secure PIN pad. The i3070 allows the merchant to locate the terminal out of reach of the consumer for aesthetic or environmental reasons while providing an easy-to-use key pad that can be handed directly to the customer.

About Ingenico

Throughout the world businesses rely on Ingenico for secure and expedient electronic transaction acceptance. Ingenico products leverage proven technology, established standards and unparalleled ergonomics to provide optimal reliability, versatility and usability. This comprehensive range of products is complemented by a global array of services and partnerships, enabling businesses in a number of vertical sectors to accept transactions anywhere their business takes them. For more information about Ingenico, a leading supplier of electronic acceptance technology, please visit www.ingenico-us.com.

About Chase Paymentech

In Canada, Chase Paymentech Solutions is headquartered in Toronto, Ontario and is an affiliate of Chase Paymentech Solutions, LLC. As a leading payment processor and a single source for debit and all major credit cards, the company offers a full suite of advanced payment solutions, including point-of-sale and wireless terminals, electronic gift card programs and secure e-commerce capabilities. Chase Paymentech Solutions, LLC, headquartered in Dallas, Texas, is the world’s largest merchant acquirer for businesses accepting payments via point-of-sale, hospitality, Internet, catalogue and recurring billing. The privately-held company is an end-to-end processor for merchants of all sizes and industries. In 2007, the privately held company processed approximately 19.7 billion payment transactions, with more than $719 billion in annual bankcard and debit volume.

Chase Paymentech’s customer base reflects the most respected global brands, including 70 percent of leading ecommerce business and almost 600,000 merchants in over 1 million locations worldwide.