The French government has shortlisted 17 cities, including Paris, to receive EUR20 million in support for the deployment of NFC services, with most applicants focusing on public transport systems, often seen as a key way to promote the take-up of the short-range wireless technology. According to NFC World, cities with a population of at least 200,000 are eligible to apply for the funding and the shortlist includes STIF, which manages public transport in Paris. The organisation has been working on NFC since 2009. Projects in other French cities, including Bordeaux, Lille, Marseilles, Nice, Strasbourg and Toulouse, will focus on public transport, tourism and local information projects.

Government support for NFC as a public infrastructure service was highlighted recently by Korean operator KT as a factor that is key to the technology’s success. The French government is looking to drive NFC deployment through its support. The country’s Cityzi NFC-based service is available in Nice and Strasbourg with other cities to follow later this year.