German companies are working together to promote mobile commerce throughout the market
NFC-based mobile payments are receiving more attention in Germany. The country’s retailers and mobile carriers are beginning to promote NFC technology as a way to participate in mobile commerce. A growing number of consumers have been demanding new mobile services that allow them to purchase products with their mobile devices. Many of these services are based on NFC technology, but relatively few German companies have embraced this technology in order to engage mobile consumers.
2,000 NFC-enabled payment terminals to be deployed in Germany
Vodafone Germany, Deutsche Telekom, and Telefonica are working with six major retailers throughout Germany to introduce new mobile point-of-sale terminals. Some 2,000 of these terminals are being provided to retailers in Germany. These terminals are equipped with NFC technology that will allow them to accept transactions being made from mobile devices. In order for these transactions to be conducted, however, the devices themselves will also have to make use of NFC technology.
NFC technology continues to play a major role in the mobile payments space
NFC-enabled mobile devices had been rare in the past, but these devices are now quite common throughout several prominent markets. NFC technology currently makes up the majority of the mobile payments infrastructure, and devices that are equipped with the technology have little trouble participating in the mobile commerce space. Retailers have been somewhat slow to embrace the technology, however, due to the costs associated with purchasing and upgrading existing point-of-sale terminals. With the help of other large companies, retailers may be able to mitigate these costs and establish a foothold in the mobile payments scene.
Germany’s mobile commerce market is beginning to become more lively
Germany’s mobile commerce scene is somewhat less active than what can be found in other markets. While consumers have shown significant interest in mobile payments, they have not shown aggressive support for services that allow them to pay for products with their smartphones and tablets. This may change in the coming years, as retailers become more accommodating of mobile shopping.
Vodafone predicts benefits for mobile gaming to come from 4G expansion
Vodafone, a British multi-national telecommunications company, recently rolled out a new 4G network in Germany, where mobile consumers in rural areas can now enjoy access to a high-speed Internet connection. The company is in the process of expanding this network to include urban areas throughout the country. Beyond Germany, 4G is becoming a staple of the mobile space, with many consumers throughout the world enjoying the speeds that 4G networks provide. Vodafone, along with other companies, believe that 4G may spark further growth in the mobile sector, especially where applications and mobile gaming is concerned.
4G connections becoming more common
Millions of smart phone and tablet users now have access to 4G networks, with many more receiving access to these networks on a seemingly daily basis. A 4G connection is comparable to a high-speed broadband connection for a home, giving mobile consumers access to connection speeds that have long been reserved to PCs and similar, stationary products. Vodafone believes that 4G will change the way mobile consumers make use of the Internet, providing them with access to high-definition content and enabling them to upload their own content to the Internet at faster speeds.
Mobile gaming may become more social thanks to 4G
Mobile gaming is likely to benefit from the growth of 4G networks, especially in the social space. Social games, and mobile games in general, often require some connection to the Internet in order for gamers to experience the game’s full features. A faster Internet connection means that gamers can enjoy these features more fluidly, but it also means that they could have access to more complex games that require a very strong network connection.
Mobile consumers likely to enjoy 4G connectivity
Developers are beginning to produce mobile games that are breaching the capabilities of current mobile technology, hoping to gain a head start on the next generation of smart phones and tablets. These games will require better hardware for mobile devices, but also a fast Internet connection to facilitate their various multi-player elements. Vodafone believes that the growth of 4G networks around the world can only lead to benefits for the mobile space and everyone with advanced mobile devices.
