This morning The Independent in the UK reported that Apple execs have told UK mobile operators that they will NOT be embedding NFC chips in the iPhone 5 to enable proximity-based (in-store) mobile payments. Apple execs cited lack of a clear NFC standard across the industry as the reason. Given Apple’s product lifecycle on the iPhone, how much momentum mobile payments seems like it will have end of year, the other use cases for NFC, and Apple’s shot at having yet another first mover advantage (although I realize its not their core competency) — I’m really surprised by this.

Currently Apple pays credit and debit card processing fees on all iTunes and App Store purchases. But by developing a solution that directly taps customer bank accounts, for example over ACH (the same network that routes, for example, any direct deposit you receive), Apple could reduce card processing fee costs a considerable amount. (Not to mention NFC opens up more interesting mobile advertising opportunities that Apple could also profit from.)

Fierce Mobile goes into the history of Apple and NFC, starting with a big hire about this time last year. There have even been more recent rumors that Apple is considering heavily subsidizing or even giving away payment terminal hardware to small businesses in an effort to accelerate the expansion of NFC (even potential acquisition candidates were named, like ViVOtech). And while payment has been the most discussed aspect of NFC, the technology has even been rumored to be used by Apple to allow you to wave your iPhone at any compatible Mac to instantly load up all your personal applications and files (essentially making that random Mac your own).

Look forward to following the inclusion/exclusion of NFC as the iPhone 5 release date edges nearer…

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