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

Year: 2004

DoCoMo 901i – Next Generation FOMA Handsets Debut

DoCoMo have just launched their next generation FOMA handsets at a splashy event at Tokyo’s Imperial Hotel — complete with bikini-clad beauties, big-name stars, and a sound and light show that blasted their five new 901i handsets into the spotlight. The D901i, F901iC, N901iC, P901i, and SH901iC models all come equipped with a 2-megapixel camera, stereo speakers, and enhanced audio and video for even more multi-slacking fun. In a ‘Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!’ press event move, DoCoMo announced that only the SH901iC will be ready for nationwide release on 26 November. Other handsets will ‘follow’ with no specific release dates given. DoCoMo says sales of FOMA cellys stand at 7.3 million. Sales of i-mode-compatible FeliCa e-wallet handsets stand at 600,000 units; infrared signal-compatible handsets, 27.2 million, and bar-code reader terminals, 14 million. Watch our video report here.

KDDI Offering 3G Data Services with Starent Networks Solution

KDDI Corp., a leading CDMA2000 mobile operator in Japan, has deployed Starent Networks’ high-performance core network platform for its 1xEV-DO network at 800 Mhz. The Starent ST16 Intelligent Mobile Gateway is providing high-speed data services to KDDI’s subscribers through its CDMA 1X WIN broadband service. KDDI has the largest CDMA network in Japan with more than 18 million subscribers and has the most 3G subscribers in the country with over 16.1 million. The Japanese mobile communications market has long been one of the largest and most progressive, with a projected $13.4 billion in data revenue for 2004. This makes it the world’s largest market with two to three times the revenue of other leading countries according to analyst firm Ovum.

Top 20 DoCoMo Mobile Phones

The latest word from Tokyo street-level retailers for the Top 20 DoCoMo mobile phones sold between 4-10 November. Sorted by maker, model, and color (and link to product site), this interesting tidbit should give marketers a clear snapshot of what customers are actually buying. It’s no surprise that NEC scored 8 of the 20 positions with 6 in the top 10.

InterVideo Delivers MPEG-4 Solution for 3G

InterVideo, Inc., a pioneer in advancing DVD and MPEG-multimedia software technology, announced today that its Mobile Player and Mobile Studio will support major cellular phone operating systems (OSs) on Texas Instruments Incorporated’s (TI’s) OMAP(TM) processors, including Symbian OS(TM), Windows Mobile(TM), and Linux(R). InterVideo will demonstrate its technology on both TI processor lines on handsets at the TI booth during the 3G World Congress and Exhibition, which is being held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, November 16-17, 2004.

QUALCOMM Expands Product Portfolio With New WCDMA 3G Solutions

QUALCOMM Incorporated, pioneer and world leader of Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) digital wireless technology, today announced the Mobile Station Modem(TM) (MSM(TM)) MSM6255(TM) chipset and system software to enable cost-effective WCDMA (UMTS) and GSM/GPRS/EDGE solutions. QUALCOMM has extended the success of the commercially available MSM6250(TM) chipset to deliver the MSM6255 chipset, a highly integrated multimedia solution for WCDMA and GSM/GPRS/EDGE networks worldwide.

KDDI Announces MSP Program

KDDI will support business partners with a new mobile solution service by establishing the KDDI mobile solution partner (KDDI-MSP) division. In “KDDI-MSP”, positive backup is performed in broader ranges, such as various promotions by the operating support by development support by offer, technical support, etc., case introduction, joint business, etc. of technical know-how, use of a KDDI brand, common pamphlet catalog creation, etc., to companies that develop mobile contents and services for the KDDI/au mobile platform.

Sprint Launches Sanyo Handset

US carrier Sprint has started offering the new Sanyo MM-7400 [.jpg image] as part of a new breed of phones with the ability to stream video over the Sprint network. The streaming video service offers a “basic cable” package for mobile handsets which includes a variety of content from NBC Universal, FOX Sports, ABC News Now, Discovery Channel, The Weather Channel, Comedy Time, and more. Other premium channels are also available, but you’ll have to shell out extra for them.

Vodafone Japan Goes Flat-Rate

Vodafone Japan has finally announced the launch of a flat-rate price plan. Vodafone’s new “Packet Free” tariff will allow unlimited use for 3,900 yen; there is also a “Packet Economy” level for 2,000 yen. Both plans allow free messaging (including attachments) between other subscribers and offer global roaming video calling from selected European regions (works on six of the seven new 3G handsets). Top that off with Macromedia Flash, some compelling pre-installed game content, and a new “Vodafone BB” data download service and it would seem Vodafone are finally getting their 3G underway.