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Vodafone KK to Confirm ID of Prepaid Customers

Vodafone K.K. announced today that it will introduce an additional measure on 25 April 2005 to confirm the identification of all customers using prepaid handsets sold under the Vodafone Prepaid Service* to prevent the inappropriate use of prepaid handsets in Japan. A change will be implemented to confirm the identity of all prepaid customers, including existing customers that purchased prepaid handsets in the past. Those unable to provide the requested information within a certain period will have their lines suspended.

Vodafone KK Trials 3G Symbian Apps

Vodafone has greenlighted two new Symbian OS applications for their 3G 702NK (Nokia 6630) handset –- at least on a trial basis. Connecting through the Vodafone live! Web service, users can create custom design packages (by Taito and Creek & River Co.) for the 702NK user interface at a cost of 420 yen per download (or get the NetFront mobile browser software from ACCESS to reach PC websites at 2625 yen). Matthew Nicholson, Vodafone Japan International Media Relations Manager, told WWJ “Though a number of handsets here are running the Symbian OS, we believe this is the first time Symbian content has been offered on a portal in Japan.”

Chaku Uta Full Downloads Exceed 5 Million

KDDI and Okinawa Cellular are pleased to announce that cumulative downloads EZ “Chaku Uta Full“, part of the au mobile phone service provided by KDDI and Okinawa Cellular, surpassed 5 million on April 3, 2005. The EZ “Chaku Uta Full” service, launched on November 19, 2004, its millionth download in January, 2005, 2 millionth download in February, and 3rd and 4th millionth downloads in March. EZ “Chaku Uta Full” is a music download service through which an entire song can be downloaded directly onto a mobile handset. With a maximum download speed of 2.4 Mbps via CDMA 1X WIN technology and the Double Fixed packet data fixed fee service, users can easily download music anywhere and anytime without worrying about packet data fees.

Vodafone K.K. to donate handset recycling proceeds to WWF Japan

Vodafone K.K. announces today that it has decided to donate proceeds from recycled mobile handsets that are collected at Vodafone shops to the World Wide Fund for Nature Japan (WWF Japan), starting 1 April 2005 for one year. In addition to reducing waste to minimise impact on the environment, Vodafone K.K. has been able to contribute to the effective use of resources through its mobile handset recycling activities. Vodafone K.K. began donating proceeds from handset recycling in fiscal 2002, and donated 20 million yen and 18.4 million yen in fiscal 2002 and 2003 respectively.

Softbank Drops Lawsuit

Softbank Corp. has withdrawn a lawsuit against Japanese telecoms regulators over a slice of coveted bandwith it wanted for its planned entry into the mobile phone business, the Nihon Keizai Shimbun daily said. The business newspaper said Softbank may have dropped the suit against Japan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications so as not to hurt its chances for a potential business alliance with Fuji Television Network Inc.