information during payments transactions. Chip set cost is another companies and vendors believe that Table 1. Main characteristic of wireless technologies FID is still expensive 2.4 NEAR FIELD COMMUNICATIONS NFC is an open global infrastructure for easy access to wireless 8 ervices and data any where and at any time. NFC offers a convenient connection for all types of electronic devices. a built- in security mechanism makes it ideal for payment/financial NFC works in 13.56 MHz frequency band. It can provide 3 to 30 and is compatible with rFid techn The NFC offers a less costly solution for the implementation of NFC can be implemented in mobile payments systems as well as RFID for three reasons. First, it provides very low power consumption. Second, it offers a great security mechanism for applications. Finally, the nfC device is easy to use and it is easy to establish the connection. This enables rapid and easy communications, and it is an ideal solution for controlling data environment such as mobile payments systems In January 2004, Philips and ViSa presented a NFC based mobile payments application. Mobile phones can pay for items simply by holding the phone next to the terminal. The NFC chip in the phone transfers the payment details to the terminal. It also deploys an authentication service based on the standard 3D secure g to provide a secure service for consumers 31 NFC has limitations. It only works at very short moreover, it simply supports peer-to-peer communicati re the drawbacks for NFC implementing mobile systems 2.5 SUMMARY The above short-range technologies are competitive and they are potential players in the mobile payments industry. Some technologies have already implemented the payments systems and the system is up and running. One example is IrDA in ZOoP. The hers intend to move in this industry as soon as possible. NFC is one example. The following table summarizes the main characteristics and specifications of the above short-range wireless technologies. These characteristics are relevant to mobile Clearly, many short-range wireless technologies intend to take part in the exciting mobile payments applications. Therefore, this is a highly competitive area, and the application may seek the onvergence of wireless technologies. There are several factors to 區 consider in choosing a suitable wireless technology Standard is payments are supportable. For example, the IrDA has defined a particular cy spectrum is an important factor, for example, ne of important factors, particularly whether or not mobile The fr it is unlicensed or not. Some wireless special profile for mobile payments application- Infrared technologies Financial Messaging(IrFM) in order to penetrate and secure the in a license-free band Bluetooth, which uses mobile payments market. This profile aims to cut transaction and, is an example. This feature is attractive for both manufactures and customers because they do not need to costs and provide a simpler and more secure environment for pay a license fee for using this frequency band. Battery life is a mobile payments 32] critical design factor for mobile devices. Potential consumers 651information during payments transactions. Chip set cost is another issue for RFID, and some companies and vendors believe that RFID is still expensive [27]. 2.4 NEAR FIELD COMMUNICATIONS NFC is an open global infrastructure for easy access to wireless services and data anywhere and at any time. NFC offers a convenient connection for all types of electronic devices. A built￾in security mechanism makes it ideal for payment/financial applications [28]. NFC works in 13.56 MHz frequency band. It can provide 3 to 30 cm working range and is compatible with RFID technology [29]. The NFC offers a less costly solution for the implementation of wireless products. It supports file transfer and data transfer [30]. NFC can be implemented in mobile payments systems as well as RFID for three reasons. First, it provides very low power consumption. Second, it offers a great security mechanism for applications. Finally, the NFC device is easy to use and it is easy to establish the connection. This enables rapid and easy communications, and it is an ideal solution for controlling data environment such as mobile payments systems. In January 2004, Philips and VISA presented a NFC based mobile payments application. Mobile phones can pay for items simply by holding the phone next to the terminal. The NFC chip in the phone transfers the payment details to the terminal. It also deploys an authentication service based on the standard 3D secure to provide a secure service for consumers [31]. NFC has limitations. It only works at very short distances. Moreover, it simply supports peer–to–peer communication. These are the drawbacks for NFC implementing mobile payments systems. 2.5 SUMMARY The above short-range technologies are competitive and they are potential players in the mobile payments industry. Some technologies have already implemented the payments systems and the system is up and running. One example is IrDA in ZOOP. The others intend to move in this industry as soon as possible. NFC is one example. The following table summarizes the main characteristics and specifications of the above short-range wireless technologies. These characteristics are relevant to mobile payments systems. Clearly, many short-range wireless technologies intend to take part in the exciting mobile payments applications. Therefore, this is a highly competitive area, and the application may seek the convergence of wireless technologies. There are several factors to consider in choosing a suitable wireless technology. Standard is one of important factors, particularly whether or not mobile payments are supportable. For example, the IrDA has defined a special profile for mobile payments application – Infrared Financial Messaging (IrFM) in order to penetrate and secure the mobile payments market. This profile aims to cut transaction costs and provide a simpler and more secure environment for mobile payments [32]. Table 1. Main characteristic of wireless technologies The frequency spectrum is an important factor, for example, particularly whether it is unlicensed or not. Some wireless technologies operate in a license-free band. Bluetooth, which uses the 2.45 GHz ISM band, is an example. This feature is attractive for both manufactures and customers because they do not need to pay a license fee for using this frequency band. Battery life is a critical design factor for mobile devices. Potential consumers