Vodafone
Vodafone

Vodafone

Vodafone Enables Pre-Paid via ATM

Vodafone Japan has announced that starting 17 October 2005 it will offer a new service for its Prepaid Service which will allow customers to recharge their prepaid mobile phones at bank ATMs or via internet banking. Using the electronic payment system, dubbed ‘Pay-easy’, customers will now be able to recharge their prepaid mobile phones at financial institution ATMs by using their bank cards or cash, and also via internet or mobile banking. This new service will be available to most existing Vodafone Prepaid Service customers and will be Japan’s first that allows clients to recharge their prepaid mobile phones at ATMs of financial institutions.

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.

O2 Launching i-mode Today

The Guardian has posted a short article saying that “Mobile phone company O2 will today announce the long-awaited launch of its Internet service, i-mode, with content partners including the BBC, BSkyB and online bank Egg.” Of course, WWJ has been covering this story since the first rumor in mid-November 2004 and the official announcement from the companies involved later that same month.

Update: It’s Official as of 19:30 JST

Panasonic, Sanyo Set for TV Phones

The Nikkei is reporting that Japan-based handset makers Panasonic Mobile Communications, a division of Matsushita Electric, and Sanyo are set to commercialize cell phones capable of recieving terrestrial broadcast signals in response to the planned launch of services by NHK and private-sector TV stations by Q1 2006. Shipments of these new models are expected to begin between year-end and next spring.

Vodafone Flips for Felica in 3G Fall/Winter Lineup

Vodafone Flips for Felica in 3G Fall/Winter Lineup

Vodafone follows DoCoMo and KDDI into the brave new revenue world of Osaifu Keitai [wallet phone] introducing its first Felica-equipped handset at a press conference for the Japanese carrier’s Fall/Winter 3G lineup [.PDF]. Four handsets: the 702NK II from Nokia, 703SHf and 604SH both from Sharp plus the 703N by NEC are scheduled for release in October and November. The company is counting on this lineup’s smooth design esthetics, sophisticated hardware and contents to re-ignite consumer interest in the Vodafone brand.

At just 47mm wide the 703SHf is Vodafone’s slimmest 3G handset yet. Besides Felica it has a 1.3 megapixel camera, 2-inch ASV LCD screen and the music player supports AAC and SD-Audio MP3 music files. But who cares. It’s really all about the chip. The Felica IC chip system developed by Sony allows users to swipe Felica-equipped mobile handsets over designated readers and pay for everything from a bottle of ice tea to an airline ticket. DoCoMo started loading it onto their 3G phones in July 2004 and has sold around 5 million Felica-equipped phones so far. The other carriers have seen little choice but to follow. These Sony IC chips have become ubiquitous not by Felica but through the Suica JR train commuter cards which can also be used at shops inside designated train stations and at platform kiosks. Thanks to DoCoMo, Suica is going mobile next year and there are plans to incorporate private train lines and subways into the Suica system as well. KDDI began selling their first Felica handset, the W32S from Sony Ericcson, this month.

Tokyo Game Show 2005

Tokyo Game Show 2005

Packed with international game and console makers out to show the press and public just what they can do, the Tokyo Game Show opened yesterday for a three-day run at Chiba’s Makuhari Messe Convention Center. Eager to showcase their mobile gaming platforms, DoCoMo set up a giant booth splashed in black paint over yellow for a "street style" look. Multiple mobile play stations circling the entire area had event goers lined up ten deep to try out mobile games like Monster Hunter, Sonic, Gundam, and many more. Everyone who plays a game receives different free collectible badges that fit into a DoCoMo badge folder — also free — guaranteeing big crowds here. Last year DoCoMo enjoyed great success with a similar system that handed out collectible cards for each game.

Many handsets come with games already pre-loaded. The new DoCoMo N901iS, for example, has Dragonquest II (from Enix) pre-installed and ready to play. One of the most popular games was a mobile version of Sega’s Sonic the Hedgehog in playable demo form. Sonic will come bundled with one FOMA 901i-series phone starting this winter. An engaging game even on mobile, the movements and execution on the FOMA were reminiscent of the old Sega Genesis edition of Sonic. Capcom’s Monster Hunter, another popular game, will be exclusively on DoCoMo phones for a short time this winter but will soon migrate to other carriers’ game platforms according to a DoCoMo spokesman.