As an emerging technology deeply associated with "contactless mobile payments", Near Field Communication (NFC) remains far from consumers' reach, according to a new study from ABI Research. Ironically, the deterrents lie in its inherent complexity and lack of enthusiasm shown by mobile operators.

ABI Research forecasts that by 2012, some 292 million handsets - just over 20 percent of the global mobile handset market - will ship with built in NFC capabilities. 2007 will be critical for NFC technology as key standards and operator trials complete the foundations for the first real deployments.

ABI Research believes that NFC will not become widely available in the handset market until wireless operators are confident they will see a clear return from specifying NFC in their latest handsets. "As the dominant mobile handset purchasers in the world, mobile operators stand as the gatekeepers of NFC's entry into new handsets," notes Collins, "and until they are comfortable with getting a return on the investment in those handsets, NFC will not reach a mass market."

NFC is elemental in expanding mobile commerce and has the force to make mobile devices more essential than ever. In the previous blog, you can now buy tickets from companies like Mobile Box Office.

Isn't wonderful if we can live in a world free from wallets and day-to-day transactions are done in a touch and go manner? What a waste if we cannot make this a reality soon.

Via ABI Research