Asia generally, and China in particular, tends to get a lot of play in wireless/mobile technology news, because often the latest, coolest products originate from there. Usually, in this context, China is discussed regarding cell phones. But there are other wireless technologies out there for which the Chinese market is of interest.
Take radio frequency ID (RFID), for example. In a recent report, RNCOS (an India-based research and consultancy firm) examined the outlook for RFID in China, including government policies.
RNCOS concluded that, in China:
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Applications of both low-frequency (LF) and high-frequency (HF, 13.56 MHz) RFID are relatively mature.
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During 2008, there will be massive applications of ultra high-frequency (UHF) RFID—especially in supply chain management.
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RFID’s growth during 2008 will be supported by well-developed standards and technologies.
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The three key areas for RFID application development are Beijing, Shanghai, and the Pearl River Delta.
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The retail sector—lead by Wal-Mart—is increasingly using RFID to improve supply chain efficiencies.
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Two key drivers for RFID’s use in supply chain management are reduced costs and enhanced automation.
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HF RFID is used in ID card applications, and UHF RFID is part of the country’s railway systems project.
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The Ministry of Science and Technology is planning 20 major RFID programs, for which the government is allocating more than $16 million. One of the largest is China’s second-generation resident identification card program.
What strikes me most about these findings is the Chinese government’s embracing of RFID. In the U.S., applications for the technology often have been stymied by privacy concerns (people worry the government and/or corporations will use it to track behavior and buying habits). In China, where the government is a much, much more heavy-handed, there is no such restriction.
I wonder: will China’s use of RFID in ID cards make Americans more or less concerned about adoption of the technology? Probably more. What do you think?
In my opinion – probably more. This is also probably where China sees its policies as allowing for progress to happen, and sees American policies as stifling progress. If you speak to many Chinese businessmen / technology specialists, they do see the governments attitude as helping them achieve progress – and they see the general Western attitude as stopping progress from happening.
Interesting when you look at it from an objective and broader point of view. Who's right? And what matters more?