Vodafone K.K. and bitWallet, Inc. announced today they would partner to provide Edy electronic money services to Vodafone K.K. Mobile FeliCa-compatible handsets, which are scheduled for an initial target date of October 2005. The main items of the agreement include bitWallet providing Edy electronic money clearing services to Vodafone K.K. Mobile FeliCa-compatible handsets, Edy e-money services to start when the handsets launch, and bitWallet will offer Edy e-money applications as Vodafone-compatible V-applis (these would be downloadable Java apps). 

There’s no word on which handsets will be used, and both companies say they the range of e-money services available on Vodafone will be the same as on current Mobile FeliCa services (now operated by NTT DoCoMo). It appears that Big D will still have the advantage when it comes to “Mobile Suica,” the train-access version of mobile FeliCa, however; Vodafone’s press release failed to mention anything about Suica integration. We suspect this will only come later.

– WWJ Editors

Related posts:

1. Vodafone K.K. Joins Mobile FeliCa
2. Intel Buys into Bitwallet
3. bitWallet: Sony & DoCoMo Make Mobile Money
4. Mobile FeliCa and Suica Merge
5. M-Commerce Convergence Announced

Some sage advise when entering new turf; Stop, Look and Listen.. it’s also good to secure a local guide. Japan is the cradle of mobile civilization – we have been dedicated to this space since 2001 – trust our archives here offer some useful material.

Domestic activities continue to set the pace, and sharp players are looking at global markets. We have hard-earned industry expertise and trusted network of contacts with access to advanced intell. and potential deal flow. Need a lift.. Ok, buckle-up!