I think Tom and Bob talk about two different things. The NFC-RFID is ready to be shipped technology and can be purchased still this month. The other technology is using the radiation of your cell phone and is getting information from your phone like your phone number.
I am sure that using your phone number without you approved it will not be allowed in many countries. Even if it was allowed, many people do not want it to be used as decribed by Bob. Personally the first shop who is using my phone number that way has had my last visit, as I don't want these things. Many others will think the same way. So most companies will not use it that way as it will cause that they lose customers instead it will give them better sales.
To summarize: it are both different technologies that can work. The NFC technology will be really used in many application in the near future, the other technology will be used in other ways like tracking and tracing children in fun parks etc.
Specialist in Mobile / RFID technologies and business solutions