i-mode
i-mode

Survey of Japan's Wireless Market

Survey of Japan's Wireless MarketResearch house and consumer survey firm INFO PLANT recently held a seminar on the main themes and directions of Japan’s wireless market in 2004. INFO PLANT’s C-News editor-in-chief Tomoki Sakaino began with some interesting comparisons between the Korea and Japan markets before offering unique insights into the prospects for FOMA and FeliCa this year; he also reviewed studies into attitudes about DoCoMo’s new 900i-series 3G handsets and TV broadcast content for mobile devices. Full Program Run-time 19:28

Micro-Browser and Java Module Selected for Panasonic's European i-mode Handset

ACCESS, a global provider of mobile content delivery and Internet access technologies, today announced that its Compact NetFront Plus micro-browser and JV-LiteTM 2 Wireless Edition, a Sun authorized JVM that complies with the J2METM standard, have been selected by Panasonic for deployment in its first European i-mode(R) handset, the P341i. Panasonic also selected ACCESS’ AVETM-SSL encryption module for this deployment. Panasonic’s decision to use Compact NetFront adds to the millions of i-mode devices that already rely on ACCESS browser technology to power their Internet functionality.

NEC Launches New 3G Mobile Service Solution System

NEC Corporation has announced the launch of their 3GPP (3rd generation Partnership Project) compliant IMS (IP Multimedia Subsystem). NEC’s IMS and SIP solutions are now trialing with a number of mobile operators around the world as a core solution for the next generation of ubiquitous mobile multimedia services. The IMS platform enables new types of multimedia services on IP (packet) networks by utilizing IP and SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) technologies.

DoCoMo's Paradigm: Flat Rate Forces Shift

DoCoMo's Paradigm: Flat Rate Forces ShiftLast Friday’s NTT DoCoMo press briefing was an eye-opener as President Keichi Tachikawa hinted at the tectonic changes reshaping Japan’s mobile data market. After reviewing the company’s stance on US W-CDMA launch after the AT&T Wireless sale, he offered some insight into the giant carrier’s plans for dealing with the the flat-rate data pricing “paradigm shift” instituted, he alleged, “too early” by an unnamed player (which would be arch rival KDDI). Finishing after just 10 minutes, Tachikawa’s comments were brief, but the ensuing half hour of Q&A with the press offered a golden opportunity to quiz the prez on these and other issues—including e-commerce, 3G subscriber numbers, and FOMA handsets. If you want to know what Japan’s #1 mobile operator is thinking, don’t miss this program. Program Run-time 20:17

i-Mode's Owner in Hold Mode on Cingular

At last week’s regular press conference, DoCoMo president Keichi Tachikawa managed to confirm most of what we wrote about in last week’s WWJ Viewpoint DoCoMo: New 3G Plans for USA?. Most importantly, someone in the U.S. is still obligated to roll out third-gen W-CDMA services because this was grandfathered into DoCoMo’s original contract with AT&T Wireless. Tachikawa said last week that the phones have already been ordered! However, DoCoMo is still in hold mode about how it will approach the purchase of its stake in AT&T Wireless Services by Cingular Wireless LLC (should the deal be approved later in the year). One option on the table is for DoCoMo to invest in Cingular.