Year: <span>2004</span>
Year: 2004

Year: 2004

JCB's MOPASS IC Credit Card

JCB, a leading international payment brand, has developed contactless credit for MOPASS cards [.jpg image] conforming to ISO/IEC14443 for Type B communications. The MOPASS card (MObile PASSport), created in cooperation with Hitachi Ltd., combines smart card microprocessor functions with the flash memory card format for use in PCs, mobile phones, PDAs and other information devices with a memory card slot. JCB demonstrated the card at the 9th JCB World Conference on October 18 and 19 in Kyoto, Japan.

Siemens to Bring the First HSDPA Solution to Market

Siemens Communications will be the first vendor to bring an end-to-end solution for “High Speed Downlink Packet Access” (HSDPA) to market, complete with PC card. This UMTS extension will enable operators to significantly boost data rates in UMTS networks and provide their subscribers with average download speeds of up to 2 to 3 megabits per second. That roughly corresponds to what the fastest DSL connections are currently capable of offering. In January 2005, Siemens will be conducting the first live demonstrations with a HSDPA network.

Wi-LAN Launches Mobilis at ITS World Congress 2004

Wi-LAN Inc., the global provider of market-leading broadband wireless communications products and technologies and the original charter member of the WiMAX Forum, today launched Mobilis, the first commercially available two-way broadband wireless product designed for a high-speed mobile environment, at the ITS World Congress 2004 in Nagoya, Japan. Wi-LAN is initially targeting Mobilis at the Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) market. ITS wireless applications include real-time video surveillance, streaming advertising, and hotspot Internet access for passengers.

Sharp's New 4GB Hard Drive PDA

Sharp will begin marketing November 10 the latest model in the Personal Mobile Tool Zaurus series of PDAs. The SL-C3000 PDA [.jpg image] is the first in the industry to feature a built-in 4GB hard drive to enable users to carry large-volume data such as business documents, photo images, music and video. It can also be doubled as an external hard drive when linked to a PC via a bundled USB cable.

NEC to 'Get Personal' in China

Japanese electronics firm NEC aims to double or triple its shipment of mobile phones and build its brand into the most respected and innovative in the Chinese market. The company had launched a branding strategy called “Get Personal” to shorten its distance from customers. NEC (China) is to release about 20 models in the second half of the year and the product line will extend from its current high-end segment to middle and low-end customers.

SkyWave and LignUp Partnership Builds on Channel in Japan

SkyWave, Inc., Ltd., a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) pioneer and leading provider of VoIP services and solutions in Japan, and LignUp Corporation, a leading provider of SIP-based voice applications and software infrastructure for the enterprise, today announced that the companies will build on channel and customer successes in Japan by partnering to jointly develop and market SIP solutions that enhance enterprise communications while reducing long distance costs, reducing telecom operating costs, and eliminating redundant infrastructure costs.

China Telecoms Sign SMS Pact

China’s four top phone carriers have agreed to make short messaging services (SMS) between mobile and fixed-line phones interoperable, which is expected to boost the revenues of phone and SMS operators. China Unicom Ltd. said Thursday that its parent had signed an interclearing and interconnection agreement with China Telecom Corp. and China Netcom Group to allow the exchange of SMS between mobile and fixed-line users.

Dilithium Networks' CTO to Speak at Mobile InfraTech

Dilithium Networks, a leading provider of 3G video telephony solutions for the world’s mobile and broadband industries, announced today that Dr. Marwan Jabri, its founder and CTO, will speak at Mobile InfraTech, the only event worldwide focusing entirely on mobile network infrastructure. Mobile InfraTech addresses the current trend towards convergent architectures by adopting an inclusive policy that covers all mobile networking standards. Mobile InfraTech is co-located with the UMTS Congress, the world longest established event focusing on 3G networks, with over 5,000 participants over 8 years.

Cell Phones Morph into Music Players

Watch out, iPod! The hottest mobile news on planet Earth this week is KDDI’s announcement of a full-song mobile download service for 3G. If the service launches as planned, the profits could be enormous for carriers and labels alike. But all is not well in Japan’s mobile music land and those pesky FTC raids are just part of the worry.Part 1 of a Series.

Sony Ericsson Triples 3Q Profit

Mobile phone maker Sony Ericsson today reported that it had more than trebled third quarter pre-tax profits, but the market leader, Nokia, reported a 20% fall. Sony Ericsson, the world’s fifth-biggest handset maker, made gains on the back of soaring demand for its camera phones. It said it expected sales to grow further during the crucial Christmas shopping quarter.