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Near Field Communication and all contactless technology

A decision by the European Commission to launch an in-depth investigation into the proposed NFC m-commerce joint venture by the United Kingdom’s three largest mobile operators could create delays in NFC rollouts in the UK and problems in other European countries, where telcos are planning similar joint ventures.

The United Kingdom’s three largest mobile operators have filed their application with European antitrust regulators, seeking approval for their proposed joint venture to help them roll out NFC mobile wallets and services.

Orange UK has announced what it calls the United Kingdom’s first mobile-contactless retail rewards scheme, enabling subscribers with NFC phones to tap smart posters to receive free food or drink items from a UK restaurant chain.

Reports that Google is planning to launch its Google Wallet in the United Kingdom during the first quarter as a pilot is only a rumor, a source close to Google told NFC Times.

Telefónica (O2) UK will not launch NFC this year and will only trial other mobile-wallet services–not launch them commercially–before the end of 2011, a spokesman confirmed to NFC Times.

FirstGroup, which bills itself as the largest bus and rail operator in the United Kingdom, is following Transport for London's lead in planning to accept bank cards, as well as NFC phones, directly to pay fares.

A growing number of UK consumers, 44%, recognize the contactless logo at the point of sale, according to a recent survey by Barclays bank and its acquiring and credit card arm, Barclaycard.

Contactless payment continues to grow rapidly in the United Kingdom, but transaction volume is still low, and it remains open to debate whether 2011 will be a tipping point for the technology.

The Post Office Ltd. in the United Kingdom is planning to roll out new point-of-sale terminals accepting contactless payment cards at its nearly 12,000 branches starting next year, NFC Times has learned.

The Starbucks coffee chain is the latest merchant to signal it will accept contactless payment in the United Kingdom, adding more momentum to the rollout there.