Nokia looks to expand NFC with Hub launch

Nokia has launched a marketing service that it hopes will advance the use of mobile near-field communications (NFC) platforms.

The company said its NFC Hub service will provide businesses with tools for embedding NFC technology in cards and other marketing materials.

The service will provide companies with tags that can be used to link users to sites and web services through their mobile devices. Users will be able to access the sites and services by tapping an NFC-enabled handset with the tag.

Nokia said the campaign was part of an effort to advance the use of NFC technology among businesses. With NFC-enabled handsets growing in popularity, the company believes the technology can help advance mobile advertising and social networking services.

"Nokia is making it quick and easy for businesses to adopt NFC, helping them develop consumer experiences that allow them to get ahead of the curve," said Rupert Englander, Nokia UK and Ireland head of services sales and marketing.

"NFC Hub makes it simple for companies of any size to bring NFC into their business without the need for any technical knowledge."

NFC systems have grown in popularity in recent years as vendors have begun embedding the hardware in mobile handsets. Analyst forecasts have predicted that near-field connections could become the dominant form of retail payment as early as 2015.