In a significant leap towards global standardization, Korean researchers have achieved a milestone in enabling Internet communication through short-range wireless technology, previously confined within a 10cm range.
The Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI) disclosed last month, on the 21st, that their Internet of Things (IoT) low-power communication technology based on Near Field Communication (NFC) – known as RFC 9428 – has been successfully established as an international standard.
NFC, conventionally used for close-range device-to-device communication, has expanded its utility to enable Internet communication within short-range wireless environments through the ETRI-developed standard "RFC 9428." This advancement allows Internet-based communication between NFC devices, facilitating services like payments even without dedicated payment terminals, benefiting offline merchants.
Unlike the broader coverage of Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, NFC's communication range is limited, approximately 10cm, which inherently enhances security by reducing the risk of hacking. Consequently, data transmission within this confined wireless communication zone is notably secure.
Notably, this achievement marks the world's first proprietary technology owned by ETRI's Standards Research Headquarters. As it secures international standard patents alongside standardization, it is poised to serve as a catalyst for high-value performance in emerging payment and certification markets for both domestic and international IoT services.
Throughout the development of the RFC 9428 standard, ETRI's researchers excelled in the interoperability test event organized by the European Telecommunications Standards Association (ETSI), solidifying the technology's global recognition. The Asia-Pacific Network Information Center (APNIC), an international Internet address management organization, also lauded the technology's excellence.
ETRI remains actively engaged in standardization activities within international bodies like IETF and ITU-T, striving to establish IoT-related international standards through the Ministry of Science and ICT's Information and Communication Standard Development Support Project.
Kang Shin-gak, head of ETRI's Standard Research Division, emphasized the significance of international standardization, attributing it to securing proprietary standard technology and patents. He highlighted the innovation potential it holds for the IoT realm and its role in shaping the future market.
Furthermore, researchers anticipate the technology's applicability in various payment and communication scenarios across IoT's diverse online and offline service domains, encompassing smart homes, smart buildings, and smart factories that leverage contactless NFC technology.
The regular IETF meetings, conducted four times annually, draw over 1,500 experts from 50+ countries, representing global corporations, research institutions, and academia, including industry giants such as Cisco and Ericsson. This renowned international organization is at the forefront of establishing Internet standard technology, having standardized over 15 international protocols, ranging from next-generation Internet Protocol (IPv6) to mobile and IoT technologies.
