Yet Another Baby i-mode
NEC’s Mobile Internet Platform and i-mode Mobile Handset to Operate at COSMOTE i-mode Service in Greece. NEC Corporation and its subsidiary NEC Italia s.r.l today announced the delivery of its Mobile Internet Platform and mobile handsets to COSMOTE Mobile Telecommunications S.A.’s “i-mode(r)” service, which will be provided commercially, with an initial free period, from 7 June 2004. NEC has achieved rapid implementation in cooperation with COSMOTE, so that the i-mode service can be launched well in advance of the “Athens 2004” Olympic Games, of which COSMOTE is a Grand National Sponsor.
COSMOTE is the leading and largest mobile operator in Greece, a top-class mobile market with high cellular user penetration. COSMOTE plans to gradually introduce i-mode services in other markets such as Albania, Bulgaria and Macedonia.
NEC’s highly reliable Mobile Internet Platform is an enabler for the provision of i-mode service, one of the world’s leading and most advanced Mobile Internet Services, is now available in Greece. This platform is an integrated solution that realizes unified operations and service management, composed of well integrated subsystems. One of these is a gateway that enables COSMOTE’s customers to gain easy, quick and secure access to the large variety of rich content offered by i-mode service on GPRS mobile packet networks. A mail subsystem enables customers to enjoy functional i-mode mail services with video and picture attachments. A portal subsystem shows service menus and membership content menus on each mobile terminal. The platform offers complete management of user information, content and services information, agent charging and billing (including real-time for pre-paid) in addition to flexible support of new features to be released in future.
NEC’s i-mode mobile handset “N410i” is compact and striking with a full-scale 1.3M Pixel integrated camera which enables users to take rich pictures. N410i also features the 2.2 inch 65K colors QVGA main LCD to display not only high-resolution pictures but also MPEG4 movies. Developed based on expertise gained from the Mobile Internet markets in Japan and Europe, “N410i” is very suitable for accessing mobile Internet applications and rich content,comprising 64 tone polyphonic ringtones, DoJa(tm) JAVA Applications and USB & IrDA Connectivity.
NEC also provides the “N331i” with 100K Pixel integrated camera and “N400i” with 300K Pixel integrated camera and an MPEG4 player.
To provide attractive Mobile Internet services for both 2.5 and 3G, NEC is to expand their Mobile Multimedia Platform business, targeting operators in Europe and further afield who wish to enhance customer satisfaction and increase revenue. NEC plans to add to their Mobile Applications line-up and aspires to gaining the leading position in the Mobile Internet market. As a total solution provider for Mobile Internet solutions, NEC has strong competence in mobile infrastructure systems, mobile application platforms, and an impressive portfolio of content and competitive i-mode mobile handsets.
Worldwide, NEC’s Mobile Internet Platform is currently operated by Wind in Italy, Telefonica Moviles Espana, Bouygues Telecom in France and Taiwan Far EasTone Telecommunications
NEC’s mobile businessNEC is a total solution provider for 3G and the mobile Internet. NEC has been involved in every first-stage rollout of 3G systems worldwide. NEC is also responsible for developing the first 3G handsets for use on the world’s first 3G networks. NEC has competence in the mobile Internet area with its mobile infrastructure system, mobile application platform and its impressive portfolio of contents. NEC’s mobile handsets are known for their prominent technologies including large color screens, built-in cameras and other functions that make them ideal for use in mobile Internet.
For mobile Internet application system, please visit the NEC globalnet at http://www.nec-globalnet.com/mobile/index.html
i-mode is trademarks or registered trademarks of NTT DoCoMo, Inc. in Japan and other countries. DoJa is a trademark of NTT DoCoMo, Inc. in Japan and other countries.
About COSMOTE Mobile Telecommunications S.A.
COSMOTE, a member of the OTE group, started commercial operations in Greece in April 1998, 5 years after its 2 competitors and in June 2001 was the only 3rd entrant to achieve 1st place in its market. Currently it has approximately 4 million customers in Greece with the leading market position and also has presence in 3 more Balkan countries: owns the leading mobile operator in Albania (AMC) and manages OTE’s mobile assets in Bulgaria (Globul) and Macedonia (COSMOFON). The Company in year 2003 generated over 1.35 billion euro in revenues and approximately 253 million euro in net profit. Both the Company’s EBITDA margin (above 42%) and net profit margin (above 18%) remain consistently among the top 3 in Europe. COSMOTE is a Grand National Sponsor of the ATHENS 2004 Olympic Games. COSMOTE’s stock trades in the Athens and London Stock Exchange [Shares: Athens SE, Reuters COSr.AT. Bloomberg COSMO GA. ISIN GRS408333003.GDRs: LSE, Reuters COSq.L. Bloomberg CRM GR, CMBD LI]. For more information, visit www.cosmote.gr
About NEC Corporation
NEC Corporation (TSE: 6701)(NASDAQ: NIPNY) (FTSE: 6701q.l) is one of the world’s leading providers of Internet, broadband network and enterprise business solutions dedicated to meeting the specialized needs of its diverse and global base of customers. Ranked as one of the world’s top patent-producing companies, NEC delivers tailored solutions in the key fields of computer, networking and electron devices, by integrating its technical strengths in IT and Networks, and by providing advanced semiconductor solutions through NEC Electronics Corporation. The NEC Group employs more than 140,000 people worldwide and had net sales of 4,906 billion yen (approx. $47 billion) in the fiscal year ended March 2004.For further information, please visit the NEC Corporation home page at: www.nec.com
ContactAkiko ShikimoriNEC Corporation+81337986511a-shikimori@ay.jp.nec.com
Chris ShimizuLindsey BrookesNEC Europe Ltd+44 20 8752 2795lindsey.brookes@uk.neceur.com
Sara AiroldiNEC Italia+ 39 02 4841 5265sara.airoldi@it.neceur.com