A total of 3.5 million mobile subscribers in France now have smartphones compatible with the country’s Cityzi NFC service, according to figures released by L’Association Française du Sans Contact Mobile (AFSCM).

The number has increased from 2.5 million NFC subscribers in February this year, said the same body which promotes contactless technology in the country.

In addition, there are now 36 handset models which support NFC Cityzi, an increase of 39 per cent over the past five months, said AFSCM.