Since its launch in Australia, the Cupertino guys could never have imagined that they would have so much trouble implementing their electronic payment technology in the country. Banks are still determined that Apple gives them access to the NFC chip of the iPhone so that they can use it with their applications, something that obviously Apple is not willing, as it would not get a euro from this agreement. The reason for seeking access to this chip in the iPhone is motivated because according to the banks, the commission that Apple earns with each transaction is too high, a commission that is the same practically all over the world.
To try to force Apple to release access to the NFC chip, the banks asked the country's competition court for permission to sit down and negotiate with Apple to request this access, srequest that has been denied. But in addition, it has also prohibited them from carrying out boycott campaigns against the company for this refusal. The banks that had applied for this permit are
These Australian banks had requested the ACCC to provide them with the authority to be able to bargain collectively with Apple to access the NFC chip used from iPhone 6. This would have allowed banks to create their own mobile payment system, a payment system that would compete directly with Apple Pay. The banks argued that this measure would benefit consumers, which would already increase competition between banks, which would allow offering more options to consumers, in addition to being an investment in innovation.
The ACCC agrees that banks can request access to the iPhone's NFC chip, as increase competition for the benefit of consumers in the mobile payments sector but in turn it would lead to a distortion and reduction of competition. Apple has always stated that granting access to the NFC chip endangers the stability of the device, since it is integrated with the operating system and with the hardware of the same.
