Nokia Launches the SIM-Based NFC 6216 Classic

Finnish mobile phone maker Nokia announced today at the 3rd annual WIMA conference, held at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco, its third Near Field Communication (NFC) handset, the Nokia 6216 classic. The new phone is the first Nokia SIM-based NFC device, offering wireless operators the possibility to build NFC services onto the SIM card.

The Near Field Communication is meant to offer users enhanced ease of use, as well as a more convenient sharing of content, including images, web links, audio files or contact data, in addition to enabling secure payment and ticketing transactions, with nothing more than a simple tap of the device.

“The Nokia 6216 classic will be amongst the first commercial devices in the market complying with operator requirements using the SIM card in connection to secure transactions with Near Field Communications,” says Jeremy Belostock, head of near field communications at Nokia. “With the Nokia 6216 classic in your pocket and the ticketing applications on the SIM you can replace the multitude of cards in your wallet. Having the applications on the SIM consumers can bring their secure applications to their next Nokia NFC enabled phone.”

Customers can also securely store credit card information on their SIM card, while quick payment and ticketing services are enabled through the simple wave of the device in front of a contactless terminal. One thing that should be mentioned here is that those willing to use this feature would need a compatible NFC SIM card, as well as a service subscription and the installation of an appropriate secure application.

“The launch of the Nokia 6216 classic SIM-based NFC handset is a great step forward for payment and ticketing services,” says Alex Sinclair, chief technology officer of the GSM Association. “We believe this will drive more rapid deployment of the technology and expect this to signal launch of NFC services in the market by operators.”

The NFC technology is not the only thing about the Nokia 6216 classic, as its maker included it with the latest features one would like to find in a next-generation mobile phone. Thus, it comes with a photo snapper, a bright display, FM radio and music player, as well as 3G connectivity and a microSD memory card slot that can offer support for up to 8GB of additional storage space. Nokia expects 6216 classic to start shipping in the third quarter of 2009 in select markets, while featuring a price tag of EUR 150 before taxes.