Vodafone
Vodafone

Vodafone

Visto Expands Presence in Asia Pacific

Visto Corporation today announced a significant expansion of its Asia Pacific operations to support new market growth in Asia with the opening of a world-class development center and sales offices in China and Japan, and the appointment of Antoine Blondeau as senior vice president and general manager of the Asia-Pacific region. An accomplished executive in the software and wireless telecommunications industries, Blondeau will be based in Visto’s new Tokyo office.

Mobile Commerce Surges in Japan over Wireless Networks

Mobile Commerce Surges in Japan over Wireless NetworksMobile commerce over cell phones jumped 25 percent last fiscal year to around 971 billion yen ($8.8 billion) according to a survey on e-business just released by Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry [.pdf in Japanese]. Covering all of fiscal 2004 (which in Japan ended March ’05), the survey showed wireless purchases of books and music had grown by 85 percent from virtually nothing the previous year to 330 million yen ($3 million). Shopping for clothing and accessories over the smallest screen accelerated 79 percent, taking in 150 hundred million yen ($1.3 million).

Researchers for the report noted that consumers are comfortable with shopping on the Web, grouping it with other mainstream retail experiences. Individual online (Internet) purchases rose nearly 29 percent to 5.64 trillion yen in fiscal ’04. This confidence has users embracing the anytime, anywhere convenience of the mobile Web in addition to — and even sometimes preferably to – the PC experience.

Overseas Mobile Games Enter Japan

Best of West rides into townNow here’s a twist: just when we’ve spilled a lot of ink lately telling you how Japanese mobile Internet players are succeeding overseas, in comes a press release from Dublin, Ireland-based Upstart Games Ltd. announcing that their Tokyo subsidiary, Upstart KK, has launched what they call the first multi-carrier service dedicated to providing Japanese mobilers with access to popular US and European games. With a catchy name and the allure of foreign brands, the “Best of West” gaming contents channel may just grab a few thumbs, not to mention per-download revenues.

Where's Vodafone Japan's ex-CEO?

One year — almost to the day — after the dramatic power shift at Vodafone KK, we couldn’t help but wonder ‘where is Darryl Green now’..?!? So after a bit of digging it turns out that the former head of J-Phone (and then Vodafone Japan) has actually landed a new gig — in India! While speculation was rife that he would end up (like many others) moving to Softbank, it seems this next challenge — and potential reward — is even more interesting. WWJ wishes him all the best building another telco in that future mass mobile market.

Cellphone Firms Offer New Repeater

Does your cellphone drop off the radar in most basement locales? Help may be on the way. A new “repeater” device that enables cellphones to receive signals underground has been jointly developed by the four major mobile phone companies: NTT DoCoMo Inc., KDDI Corp., Vodafone KK and Tu-Ka Cellular Tokyo Inc.

Vodafone Rolls out Sharp Ferrari-Branded Handsets

Vodafone Rolls out Two Sharp Ferrari Branded HandsetsAll doubts are now removed about who is making “Ferrari Class” handsets and the gloves are off for a bare-knuckles contest in the UK mobile data market. With O2 getting ready to roll out their i-mode portal in the next few months, Vodafone is clearly taking advantage of its relationship with Japanese OEMs and the London young turks need for speed. The GX25 (photo right) has Bluetooth and a QVGA TFT LCD bundled into its tri-band body, and the 3G-enabled 902sh touts a 2-megapixel camera with Video Out function.

Their ad copy says it all: “Jump into the seat with the Sharp 902 official Ferrari merchandise. You too can be part of the team through games, ring tones and customised menu which are all included in this unique package. Enjoy the benefits of this high-quality phone and share the excitement of the Ferrari footage with your friends. This striking Vodafone live! with 3G phone also features a 2 megapixel camera with autofocus and 2x optical zoom. After you have amazed others with your photography skills, why not explore the world of Vodafone live! with 3G to catch the latest music videos, Barclays Premiership goals, film trailers and breaking video news bulletins? All this before you have made your first face-to-face video call!“