Mitsubishi
Mitsubishi

Mitsubishi

Re: DoCoMo and GSM Handsets

The recent article via the Yomiuri about DoCoMo’s roadmap for adding GSM functionality to their handset fleet is spreading across the web like wildfire. The point missed would be that ‘the news’ was actually announced back in February! “NTT DoCoMo, Inc., Renesas Technology Corp., Fujitsu Limited, Mitsubishi Electric Corporation and Sharp Corporation today announced that they will jointly develop a comprehensive mobile phone platform combining a single-chip LSI for dual mode handsets supporting HSDPA /W-CDMA and GSM/GPRS/EDGE, and core software such as operating systems.”

InnoPath Appoints New President for Japan

InnoPath Software, Inc. today announced telecommunications industry veteran Shinichi Sawai as the president of InnoPath’s Japan operations. Sawai brings more than 20 years of expertise and knowledge in the Japanese telecommunications industry and will be responsible for continuing InnoPath’s positive growth of influence within the Japanese mobile device management (MDM) market. Sawai recently oversaw the successful promotion of global business for NTT Data Corporation, a system integrator group comprised of 100 subsidiaries and affiliates. Prior to NTT Data Corporation, he played a major role in developing 3G radio systems for Lucent Technologies, Japan.

BTMU, KDDI Announce Mobile Banking JV

The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ and KDDI Corp. announced they will jointly set up a bank that will offer money transfer, settlement and other financial services through mobile phones. BTMU and the “au” mobile phone operator have agreed to establish a preparatory company, possibly in May. Japan’s first Internet-based bank designed for handset users is expected to start operations in early 2007, they said. [Thus confirming our earlier post here on 13 April — Eds]

KDDI Seeks Banking JV

KDDI said on Thursday it was in talks with the Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ to set up a new bank that would allow shoppers to pay for their purchases electronically using their mobile phones. Among the possible options, KDDI’s “au” brand mobile phone customers would be able to have bank accounts linked to their phones and use the devices to spend money up to the account balance, a KDDI spokesman said.

UFJ and Visa Announce Mobile JV

UFJ Nicos, the core credit card division of UFJ Mitsubishi Financial Group and Visa International have agreed to offer mobile phone IC payment services. Under the deal announced UFJ will give Visa the right to use it’s “Smart Plus” settlement technology. The two companies will set up a new firm to oversee the service according to the report.

Mitsubishi Pulls Out of China

Mitsubishi Soyea Mobile Communication Equipment Co., Ltd. announced the Japanese party would remove the investment and the company would dismiss its branches in Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou. According to the announcement, all the staff of the venture except those at the Hangzhou production base would be dismissed. Mitsubishi Soyea Mobile Communication Equipment was a joint venture between Mitsubishi Electric and Soyea Technology that was controlled by the Japanese company.