Coalition for App Fairness Urges Affordable NFC Access Following CMA Consultation on Apple

The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has launched a consultation on proposed NFC access requirements for Apple’s iOS platform. For fintech firms, this move represents a critical juncture in the battle for digital wallet dominance, as regulators weigh whether to force the tech giant to open its proprietary hardware to third-party payment providers.

What was announced

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) initiated a formal consultation on October 20, 2026, regarding a proposed conduct requirement that would mandate Apple to provide Near Field Communication (NFC) access on its mobile devices to third-party firms. This regulatory move aims to dismantle the exclusivity Apple currently maintains over the NFC chip on iOS, which has historically restricted contactless payment capabilities to its own Apple Pay service. The Coalition for App Fairness (CAF) has publicly supported the consultation, framing it as a necessary catalyst for innovation within the UK’s digital wallet ecosystem.

However, the group’s endorsement comes with a significant caveat regarding the financial terms of such access. CAF argues that for the intervention to be effective, any fees charged by Apple must be strictly cost-based and proportionate. The coalition warns that if Apple is permitted to price access based on the perceived "value" of the service, it could effectively create a financial barrier that stifles the very competition the CMA seeks to encourage. This principle of cost-based pricing is also being pushed by the coalition as a standard for other regulatory reviews, including those concerning App Store commissions and steering practices.

"The CMA's consultation to open NFC access on iOS to other firms is an important step in improving competition in digital wallets. Such access rights could unlock innovation and new services for consumers and businesses across the UK. But access only matters if it’s affordable. Fees must be cost-based and proportionate. Pricing access on the claims of ‘value’ provided would let Apple deter competitors from using NFC: stifling competition, innovation and consumer benefits. The same principle of cost-based fees should guide every intervention the CMA reviews, including steering and App Store commissions."

Dominic Fean, UK Spokesperson for the Coalition for App Fairness

The companies involved

Apple is a central figure in the global technology and financial services landscape, with FF News having tracked its developments across 107 previous reports. The company maintains a significant market presence through its proprietary iOS ecosystem and the Apple Pay platform, which has become a standard for mobile payments worldwide. Its control over hardware and software integration has frequently placed it at the center of discussions regarding market dominance and platform access. The Coalition for App Fairness is an organization focused on the dynamics of the app marketplace and digital competition. Represented in this instance by UK Spokesperson Dominic Fean, the group advocates for changes to how major platform owners manage their ecosystems. While this is the first time the coalition has been featured in a dedicated report by FF News, their stance aligns with broader industry efforts to challenge established gatekeeping practices in the mobile sector.

What FF News has reported before

FF News has closely tracked the evolving regulatory landscape surrounding Apple’s payment ecosystem. Earlier today, we reported on how Revolut Backs CMA Move to Open Apple NFC Access for UK Fintechs, highlighting the appetite among major fintech players for greater hardware access. Beyond the UK, Apple’s payment footprint continues to expand, as seen when Apple Pay Launches in India: Axis Bank Customers Gain Secure Contactless Payments. We have also covered the company’s strategic integrations, such as when Square and Apple Partner to Streamline Local Business Presence on Apple Maps, and technical expansions like when Akurateco Launches Apple Pay Support for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge Browsers.

What this means

The CMA’s focus on NFC access is a direct challenge to the "gatekeeper" model that has defined the mobile payments industry for a decade. While opening the hardware is a technical victory for fintechs, the real battleground has shifted to the economics of access. If regulators allow "value-based" pricing, Apple could theoretically set fees that mirror its current commission structures, rendering third-party wallets economically unviable. This creates a precarious situation for the UK fintech sector; while the door is opening, the toll for passing through it remains undecided. The outcome will likely set a global precedent for how "fair access" is defined in the age of digital platform regulation.