The NFC experience at MWC Barcelona 2013

Rating: Show should sing praises of NFC’s capabilities

In 2013,  the Mobile World Congress Barcelona intends to offer a truly interactive experience for exhibitors, vendors, and attendees to participate in an environment where information and transactions are exchanged through mobile using Near Field Communication (NFC) technology. NFC enabled mobile phones have a huge potential to make life easier by letting us, with a simple touch, enable secure access to new transaction and payment services across a range of sectors and industries. The GSMA (GSM Association) hopes its next major event (MWC 2013) will help showcase the benefits of NFC.

NFC technology has, of course, been in existence for several years but it is widely believed that its adoption will increase significantly in the next two of years.

Hence the MWC ‘NFC Experience’ will create an opportunity for attendees to try out some of these services first-hand.

As part of the NFC Experience, the GSMA will showcase an integrated range of mobile NFC services throughout the venue and city of Barcelona.

NFC touch points will be abundant throughout the exhibition, rewarding those who ‘tap’ with instant access to information and various incentives.

The NFC Experience begins with the following features: -

• NFC Centre


• NFC Experience Zones


• Barcelona City NFC locations


• Virtual NFC badge – enabling instant onsite access via your handset


• NFC-enabled payment terminals

How it Works

Mobile World Congress attendees with NFC-enabled handsets will be able to take advantage of NFC technology at locations throughout the venue and city.

This will include information points, discount vouchers, payment capabilities and much more.

The variety of locations and incentives offered to attendees participating in the NFC Experience will provide a complete appreciation of mobile NFC.

NFC Centre

This dedicated zone in the heart of the exhibition will showcase NFC-enabled handsets and their capabilities as well as information on the NFC ecosystem, information loaded NFC smart posters, NFC partner pods, and a dedicated NFC support function.

The NFC Centre will serve as a centralised location for all vendors and exhibitors participating in the NFC Experience.

This will be one of the key locations to visit and see the NFC ecosystem demonstrate the benefits that NFC technology can provide. Adjacent to the NFC Centre in Congress Square attendees can visit the GSMA Stand.

On this stand is where the GSMA’s Mobile NFC Services Programme will showcase themed SIM-based NFC demonstrations.

NFC Experience Zones

More than a dozen NFC Experience Zones will be located along the walkways, entrances, green areas, and exhibition halls of Fira Gran Via.

Comprising a series of linked smart posters, participating attendees to use their NFC-enabled handsets to access exhibitor directories, venue information, nearby conveniences, and many other useful services offered during Mobile World Congress.

NFC-enabled capabilities in Barcelona

The City of Barcelona, in collaboration with Mobile World Capital, is enabling key areas for attendees to experience NFC technology in action.

Strategic NFC touch points will be available at the airport, key hotels, selected restaurants, and central tourist locations.

By tapping NFC tags, attendees will receive discount offers, information downloads, access to mobile apps, and much more.

By participating in the NFC Experience, attendees will be able to:

• Access the venue via their NFC-enabled handset


• Pay for refreshments at Mobile World Congress


• Download information on the Conference sessions, and keynotes


• Access NFC Experience information points


• Take a taxi and pay by NFC


• Pay for goods in select restaurants and shops