NFC Forum Announces NFC Release 15: Extending Range for Seamless Contactless Interactions

The NFC Forum has announced NFC Release 15, which will extend the range of NFC contactless connections up to 2cm, four times greater than the current range of 0.5cm. This will support faster and more reliable contactless interactions across various use cases such as wireless charging, kitchen appliances, wearables, and digital keys. The release also marks the latest step in NFC Forum's commitment to sustainability through the NFC Digital Product Passport Standard.

The NFC Forum has announced NFC Release 15, a significant advancement in Near Field Communication (NFC) technology that extends the range of NFC contactless connections up to 2cm, quadrupling the current range of 0.5cm. This enhancement is set to support faster and more reliable contactless interactions across a variety of use cases, including wireless charging, kitchen appliances, wearables, and digital keys [1].

NFC Release 15 will enable connections to start sooner and require less precise device alignment, making NFC quicker, more reliable, and easier to use than ever before. This innovation is a key priority outlined in the NFC Forum Five-Year Roadmap, aiming to meet changing market needs and deliver faster, easier transactions across all NFC-enabled devices, including smaller form factors like wearables or smartphones [1].

The release also marks a significant step in NFC Forum's commitment to sustainability. One of its core focuses is the support for the NFC Digital Product Passport Standard, which provides a flexible, data-agnostic framework for storing and transmitting data using common NFC Data Exchange Format (NDEF) records. This standard ensures reliability, interoperability, and compatibility across all NFC devices used for the Digital Product Passport throughout a product's lifecycle [1].

The extended range and improved reliability of NFC Release 15 are expected to advance new use cases and optimize NFC usability across various sectors, including automotive, transit, and access control. Mike McCamon, Executive Director of NFC Forum, commented on the release, "NFC technology makes our lives more convenient, secure, and connected every single day. NFC Release 15 will continue to extend contactless simplicity into an ever-expanding list of use cases, including sustainability, and redefine the baseline for performance standards" [1].

NFC Forum Associate, Principal, and Sponsor-level member companies can download the Technical Specifications included in NFC Release 15 today. Adopter-level members and the public can access and begin certifying compliance to NFC Release 15 from Fall 2025. To learn more about NFC Release 15 and its implications, register for the upcoming webinar on Wednesday, July 9th [1].

The digital key market, which is rapidly evolving, is also set to benefit from these advancements. Technologies such as UWB, NearLink, and Bluetooth 6.0 are poised to dominate the market, with a predicted 80.8% installation rate by 2030 in China's passenger car market. These technologies offer advanced functionality and improved positioning, driving the future of digital keys [2].

In conclusion, NFC Release 15 represents a significant advancement in NFC technology, extending its range and enhancing its reliability and sustainability. This innovation is set to support a wide range of use cases and drive broader adoption across various sectors. The integration of advanced systems promises enhanced vehicle security and user convenience, further transforming the digital key ecosystem.

References:
[1] NFC Forum Announces NFC Release 15, Boosting Speed, Reliability and User Convenience. (2025, June 17). Business Wire. Retrieved from https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250617169285/en/NFC-Forum-Announces-NFC-Release-15
[2] UWB, NearLink, and Bluetooth 6.0 Who Will Revolutionize Digital Keys? (2025, June 11). Globe Newswire. Retrieved from https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/06/11/3097308/28124/en/UWB-NearLink-and-Bluetooth-6-0-Who-Will-Revolutionize-Digital-Keys.html