Mobile Intelligence Tour Announced
The Wireless Watch Japan Media Project will co-produce the Mobile Intelligence Tour (MIT) to Tokyo from 12-16 April 2004, promising to be one of this year’s premiere events for extracting business intelligence from the Japan mobile market. MIT aims to expose participants to the best and brightest individuals and companies making mobile work in Japan, the world’s No. 1 wireless market, and will include highly focussed company briefings, presentations, visitations, end-user demonstrations, access to local experts, and industry-related social events.
MIT members will also be provided with a 3G cellular handset for the week to try i-mode(R), EZweb, and Vodafone live!(TM) services for themselves.
New, third-generation (3G) wireless Internet services are rocking Japan’s extremely sophisticated market, with bar-code readers, e-wallet-based m-commerce, mobile TV, and CD-quality music download technology all enjoying fast consumer up-take. Major carriers are finding that average revenue per user on their 3G systems is actually higher than on older 2G systems, with market leader NTT DoCoMo reporting a 28 percent boost in their 2003 third-quarter 3G revenues compared to 2G. Of this, data revenue was up a whopping 71 percent!
Clearly, Japan’s mobile industry is fast learning how to make 3G work, and players are amassing valuable and exportable market intelligence.
In addition, media reports for the first time are citing the growing number of enterprises using mobile applications as key elements in their IT strategy. In mid-2003, more than 50 firms were offering almost 80 mobile business solutions, according to one recently published estimate.
“This will be the first mobile industry tour to Tokyo that not only reviews enterprise and consumer mobile application success factors, but that also looks at the growing convergence between fixed and mobile broadband data services,” said Daniel Scuka, business manager for Wireless Watch Japan.
Scuka points to the growth in 3G mobile data users, presently over 14 million, the growth in home broadband users, now over 10 million, and the numerous WLAN hotspot services – including offerings from NTT, NTT DoCoMo, Softbank, and others. “Traditional content, application, and service providers focussed solely on 2G i-mode and the other mobile webs now have to think seriously about how to distribute their content and services via fixed broadband, mobile broadband, WLAN, and other channels. New 3G licensees are also set to enter the market with portable DSL,” he adds.
Since 1999, Daniel has covered wireless business and technology, entrepreneurship, tech ventures, and Internet-related issues for numerous media in Japan, the US, and Europe. Daniel co-authored the “i-Mode Developer’s Guide” (Addison Wesley Professional, April 2002). He has taught mobile marketing at the International University of Japan, has worked as a researcher and analyst for several consulting and market data companies, and is a frequent speaker at industry-related events.
The estimated participation fee for the MIT is Euro 2,500.- per person (tour only); this price includes all fees and expenses for the tour itself. It does not include air travel, hotel accommodation, pro rate fees for certain optional events, or private expenses.
Deadline for submitting requests to participate is 5 March 2004.
Note: Organisers reserve the right to limit participation based on demand. Organisers also reserve the right to change, modify, alter, or amend the content, scope, dates, or fact of the Mobile Intelligence Tour based on external and other factors. The MIT requires a minimum number of confirmed registrees in order to proceed.
About Wireless Watch Japan
WirelessWatch.jp is the only independent English-language media focusing exclusively on the business of wireless in Japan. The site provides in-depth reporting in streaming video, mail magazine, and Web formats, and helps decision-makers make business sense out of wireless confusion. Savvy viewers also get a first-hand peek at the handsets, technology, tools, and applications making Japan’s mobile market the coolest industry on Earth. The Wireless Watch Japan Mail and Video Newsmagazines deliver a unique blend of facts, statistics specifications, business reporting, behind-the-scenes insight, and thoughtful analysis.For more information, visit the Wireless Watch Japan home page at: www.wirelesswatch.jp
ContactDaniel Scuka, Business Manager – Wireless Watch Japan editors [at] wirelesswatch.jp
Mobile: +49-170-286-3718