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KDDI's EZ Channel at CEATEC

KDDI's EZ Channel at CEATECCEATEC, otherwise known as ‘Disneyland for mobi-keeners,’ is possibly planet Earth’s most intense concentration of mobile goodies. KDDI’s “EZ Channel” system, launched together with flat-rate data billing and the high-speed 1X EV-DO “WIN” 3G network in late 2003, is one of the few content services optimised for the network’s 2.4-Mbps nominal speed. WWJ went to CEATEC to grab the details on EZ Channel, which includes a unique overnight download feature that makes use of the quietest time of the day to deliver up to 3 megabytes of video programming to subscribers’ handsets while the network snoozes.

The EZ Channel service allows subscribers to select 3 programs from a menu of 53 channels (by end-October 2005), including news, weather, sports and entertainment favorites such as “Chaku Uta Ranking” (Label Mobile), “Sponge Bob Mobile” (Viacom) and Disney Mobile Wave. A single channel typically runs up to 1MB, and is refreshed 1-3 times per week (some, like weather, are new daily).

Willcom Launches Feature Packed Mobile Phones for Fall

Willcom Launches Feature Packed Mobile Phones for FallJapan’s Willcom will launch four PHS mobile handsets this November packed with many of the same functions as high-end DoCoMo or KDDI models. Functions for the WX310K and WX300K both by Kyocera; Sanyo’s WX310SA; and JRC WX310J include a PC document viewer, NetFront V3.3 internet browser, Intellisync for Outlook, fingerprint authentification, music player, pixel reader, macromedia flash, even Bluetooth — all at rates the bigger carriers will find hard to match.

PHS (personal handyphone system) subscriber numbers, long in free fall against 3G mobile carriers, are slowly climbing back from the abyss thanks to low-cost fixed-rate subscriber packages that are saving consumers bundles of yen. Currently Willcom has an inter-service flat call rate under 3000 yen ($26) per month. The company has announced they will introduce a flat rate mobile data fee of just 3,800 yen ($33) to coincide with the release of the new 300/310 series. PHS subscribers will be able to dig in to a full buffet of mobile services for around 6,700 yen ($58) a month.

InfoPLANT's Handset Market Survey

Online marketer infoPLANT announced a survey result on mobile handset manufacturers. The survey was conducted on September 17 through the company’s data service providing site, C-NEWS, among 200 male and 200 female mobile phone/Internet users aged 15 or older. When asked about which maker offers the most attractive looking handset, about 15% of respondents selected Sharp and Panasonic, followed by Toshiba (about 10%). When asked which maker’s handset they would buy next, 30% replied Sharp, followed by Panasonic and NEC (about 25% each), and Sony/Sony Ericsson (over 20%).

Fixed-Mobile Convergence Plan

Local media reports Vodafone KK and Japan Telecom may be looking to integrate their mobile and fixed line assets. Such a move would allow cell phones to work as landline handsets for use indoors. Fixed line rates are significantly lower than mobile charges and synchronicity between the two sectors could result in huge savings for individuals and businesses. It would also significantly accelerate Japan Telecom’s move into the wireless sector.

KDDI Expands Licensing With Narus

Narus, Inc. announced that Japanese carrier KDDI has expanded its licensing agreement to include its new PC Site Viewer application. Narus and KDDI, along with their integration partner NEC, have been working together for more than five years building one of the most progressive 3G networks in Japan. Narus is the mediation platform for KDDI’s EVDO and IXRT networks. With the expansion of Narus’ mediation solution to KDDI’s PC Site Viewer, a browser that enables mobile handsets to access regular PC Web pages, the Narus mediation solution for all of KDDI’s network, will provide detailed customer usage information for all IP services.

NEC's New Ultra-Slim Handset

NEC has announced the world’s thinnest clamshell-style mobile phone to be launched into the Hong Kong market [press release in Japanese]. The new model will also be introduced in Italy, Russia, Australia and China. It boasts slim measurements of 47.9mm (width) X 101.5mm (height) X 11.9mm (depth; when folded) and weighs 96g. Supporting dual-mode GSM/GPRS, it is equipped with a 1.9-in, 65,000-color display with a 1.3-megapixel digital camera. The unit is also loaded with PictBridge, an MP3 player, Java and Bluetooth.