KDDI Announces Mobile FeliCa

According yesterday’s press release, KDDI will roll out FeliCa IC chip-enabled handsets by Q42005. DoCoMo launched four models that utilize Sony’s non-contact solution earlier this summer and has stated that all future phones must have this feature. The Mobile FeliCa system allows users to make small cybercash transactions; it can also be used as an ID pass to access secure areas and for marketing programs such as retail customer loyalty point programs.

Best-effort translation from Japanese press release, courtesy of Babelfish:

KDDI carries a mobile FeliCa IC chip in au cellular phone, and realizes each service of the cybermoney already used, point service, traffic system service, etc., also in au cellular phone by cooperating with a service provider with a FeliCa card.

Furthermore, functions of a cellular-phone no one but unrealizable only by the integrated circuit card, such as enabling the check of download, the balances, and the use histories of value, such as cybermoney, on the display of a cellular phone by cooperation with a communication function, are offered. KDDI puts on the market au cellular phone with which FeliCa networks build in development and the mobile FeliCa IC tip which carries out a license within the limit of the autumn of 2005. KDDI aims at preinstallment of a mobile FeliCa IC tip in au cellular-phone CDMA 1X WIN after the 2006 fiscal year.

FeliCa networks offer the card issue business which is common to all entrepreneurs and is needed as a network service performed via EZweb on the occasion of use of a mobile FeliCa IC tip. It contributes to development of mobile FeliCa by offering simultaneously the function to realize data rewriting in IC chip anytime - anywhere. KDDI and FeliCa Networks plan to vigorously promote the early spread and deployment of mobile FeliCa.