Roadmap: Faster Data Rates

Q&A with Frank Dawidowsky, Secretary at NFC Forum, and Andreas Woerle, Co-Chair of the Analog and Digital Working Group at NFC Forum

NFC Forum is exploring the possibility of increasing the rate at which data can be transferred between two devices. This would see the current rate of 106 kilobits per second (kbps) available for NFC-A/B, increase up to a rate of 848kbps. This increase of up to eight times the current rate would allow data packets to be transferred faster, delivering a smoother and more responsive user experience.

Frank Dawidowsky (FD) and Andreas Woerle (AW) share insights into NFC Forum’s objectives for this advancement and what this means for the wider marketplace.

1. Faster data rates have been possible for some time, with many chips already capable of operating at 848kbps. Why is the NFC Forum looking to standardize faster data rates now?

FD: The use cases for NFC have flourished in recent years, thanks to a proliferation of connected devices across ecosystems including access control, digital keys, digital identity, smart mobility and IoT. But as these ecosystems mature to provide a more comprehensive offer to customers, they require richer, larger data packets. Faster data rates will therefore allow these heavier payloads to be delivered with the same ‘tap-and-go’ transaction flow that NFC users expect.

This work is further motivated by the need to be able to deliver quantum-ready solutions, as and when these are required. The cryptographic algorithms necessary to mitigate the quantum threat dictate the exchange of more data. Faster data rates may, therefore, also be desirable to avoid a slower user experience.

2. What work does NFC Forum need to undertake to make faster data rates a reality?

AW: The Digital Protocol Specification would only require a relatively minor update, while the Analog Specification would need to undergo a significant update to reflect the modulation requirements that come with faster data rates. Creating appropriate testing, however, is even more complex. At elevated data transfer speeds, a higher bitrate can lead to different antenna designs, and so new testing equipment and protocols are needed to ensure that devices maintain performance, consistency and reliability.

As faster data rates would also impact the shape of the analog signal encoding the binary information, it is also important to ensure that devices can interoperate with those of other liaison partners. Conducting comprehensive mapping against ISO/IEC 14443 to ensure the analog waveform stays within the defined boundaries, is also vital.

3. What use cases will benefit most from the change in the NFC Forum Standard?

FD: NFC Forum’s move for faster data rates has been driven by a number of its members and liaison partners who are looking to evolve their NFC-based solutions to meet future use case requirements.

Identity solutions such as NFC-enabled passports and digital IDs would be able to reduce their dependence on connection handovers. For example, when reading a mobile driver’s license (mDL) that includes a large data package with imagery, NFC may be used to initiate the transaction, but WiFi or Bluetooth often finalizes the communication. Faster data rates would allow NFC to complete the full data exchange.

AW: Similarly, industry leaders in access control, like those providing door locks, are echoing calls for faster data rates to optimize their solutions. Stronger cryptography and dynamic authentication protocols require larger key sizes, meanwhile new access control features such as temporary access permissions further expand the packet size. As these solutions are often deployed outside, in high throughput areas, or in noisy RF environments, making sure that verified users can keep moving at speed is important.

4. What is its impact on the wider NFC user community?

FD: Any changes undertaken by NFC Forum are carefully considered and communicated to our partners. Ensuring industry harmonization is crucial to avoid interoperability issues. The role of NFC Forum, however, is broad. NFC technology is embedded across a range of markets and use cases, and the long-term requirements of each must be supported.

AW: This is another reason why testing is key; we recognise that more options also mean comprehensive testing to avoid interoperability issues in the field.

5. What is the timeline to deliver this work item?

AW: While the technical elements and specification adjustments are likely to materialize quickly over the coming year, defining the certification requirements and creating the testing protocols will take longer. There is, however, a strong commitment from the Forum to deliver this update in a timely manner to support the identity and access control communities.

Faster Data Rates is one of many topics featured in the NFC Forum’s 2026 Technology Roadmap. Keen to learn more? Read the press release.

Do you have data exchange requirements that NFC Forum can support? Join our community.