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Page 3 of 4 This Month's Top Stories: 4/3/2006
DoCoMo and JR East will operate common infrastructure for iD and Suica Electric Money system
www.nttdocomo.co.jp (Japanese Release)
DoCoMo and JR East agreed to provide terminals, which can be used for both DoCoMo's credit service "iD" and JR East's "Suica Electronic Money" at storefronts, and operations that are necessary to the infrastructure. The two companies plan to start this new service in January 2007, and say that the new terminal can reduce costs and workloads on stores. The terminal will also give opportunities for Suica Electronic Money to be used outside of train stations. In addition, Coca-Cola Japan, Mitsui Sumitomo Card and DoCoMo announced that they will introduce two new "Osaifu Keitai (mobile wallet)" ready vending machines, named "Shimo 2" and "Ko Shimo", which will allow consumers to use DoCoMo's iD when purchasing soft drinks. The new iD ready machines will be introduced in October 2006.
4/4/2006
DoCoMo to Launch "DCMX" Mobile Credit Services
www.nttdocomo.com (English Release)
DoCoMo announced that they will launch DCMX consumer credit services via iD, DoCoMo's brand and platform for mobile credit cards. Users of Osaifu-Keitai phones with wallet functionality will be able to choose from two plans to make highly secure purchases using their phones as DoCoMo-issued credit cards. DCMX mini, which launched on April 28, will offer a monthly credit line of 10,000 yen. Making a purchase will be as simple as waving one's phone in front of a dedicated iD reader/writer; a signature is not even required. Payments will be billed together with the user's monthly DoCoMo phone charges and there are no membership fees to use the service. Customers from age 12 will be able to start using the service immediately after applying through the DCMX i-mode site. Credit lines from 200,000 yen will be available, which will be called DCMX and will launch after DCMX mini. Purchases costing over 10,000 yen will require the customer to enter a four-digit password. There will be no membership fee during the first year, but in subsequent years a fee of 1,312 yen (including tax) will accrue if no transactions take place within 12 month period. Customers who are 18 years of age and over will be able to apply either via the DCMX i-mode site or in writing. Applications for the DCMX service will be accepted from the end of May. Payments made via DCMX will earn points that can be redeemed for discounts on products and services. Users under age 20 will require a guardian's consent, and must apply at a DoCoMo Shop, accompanied by a guardian. Customers will be able to use their mobile phones to confirm remaining credit balances. For security, DoCoMo Osaifu-Keitai phones can be locked remotely if misplaced or stolen.
4/5/2006
eMobile secures 350 billion yen capital through equity and debt financing
www.eaccess.net (English Release)
eMobile Ltd., a subsidiary of eAccess Ltd. announced that it has secured a total of 350 billion yen through equity and debt financing. The total capital raised is expected to satisfy the funding requirement of its mobile business. On the equity financing side, eMobile has experienced overwhelming demand from potential domestic and overseas investors. eMobile has completed the equity financing of 28 billion yen through the issuance of new shares. Following this transaction, the total capital shares and capital reserve of eMobile will reach 115.93 billion yen (capital shares: 58.115 billion yen), and eAccess' ownership in eMobile will be 51.4%. eMobile will complete an additional 14 billion yen equity financing which is scheduled to close in June 2006. After the two rounds of equity financing, eMobile's total capital shares and capital reserve are expected to reach 130 billion yen. eAccess' ownership in eMobile is expected to be around 45~51%. On the debt financing side, eMobile has secured a commitment line of long-term debt financing facility with 10 major domestic and international banks as the Mandated Lead Arrangers. The total amount of long-term debt facility is 220 billion yen with a maximum term of 7 years. This debt financing is expected to be Japan's largest non recourse project financing for a telecom greenfield operation.
4/6/2006
New service connects employers and job seekers using GPS mobile phone technology
www.locationvalue.com (Japanese Release)
Location Value started a new service called "Otetsudai (Help) Networks" that matches employers who are urgently looking for temporary employees with workers who are seeking a temporary job. The service is for EZWeb users and membership is free. "Otetsudai Networks" takes advantage of the mobile phone's GPS function to locate immediate job openings. This service allows registered users to be matched with jobs in very short amount of time (as little as 2 hours). Corporations such as Lawson, Restaurant Express and Success Academy have already registered with the new service. Registered workers press the "Free Now" button when they are available for work. When employers seek workers with registered job information, the system automatically seeks "Free Now" workers in the local area. Location Value says, "This is almost like an auction system for temporary labors".
4/6/2006
Biglobe starts new animation movie site
www.nec.co.jp (Japanese Release)
NEC's Biglobe and Studio4˚C will start a new animation movie site, "Cyaku Movie STUDIO4˚C +" on April 6 for EZweb users. The monthly service fee is 315 yen and 525 yen. At the site, users can download Cyaku (ring-tone based) movies or longer movies. Movies entitled "Mind Game", "Mahou Shoujotai Alice" and "Princess Alite" will be available when the site launches.
4/7/2006
Panasonic and Square Enix agree to co-develop a seamless digital content solution
www.square-enix.com (Japanese Release)
Matsushita Electric Industrial (Panasonic) and Square Enix announced an agreement to co-develop a solution that enables users to seamlessly enjoy digital content on various digital consumer electronic devices. The two companies have agreed to offer the solution to device manufacturers and content providers. Based on this agreement, companies aim to implement a middleware "SEAD Engine" that uses Square Enix software technologies on Panasonic's integrated platform "UniPhier" (Universal Platform for High-quality Image Enhancing Revolution) for digital consumer electronic devices by March, 2007. "Square Enix aims to become an integrated digital content and service provider in the ubiquitous network era. Panasonic is the best partner for building a ‘seamless content' platform on digital consumer electronics", said Yoichi Wada, President of Square Enix.
4/12/2006
Business association for mobile marketing solution established
www.mmsa.jp (Japanese Release)
A new business association for mobile marketing and solutions, "Mobile Marketing Solution Association (MMSA)", was established and the first meeting was held in Tokyo on April 12. The association was formed to establish guidelines in the mobile marketing industry and to help the industry's development through seminars, events, trainings and recruiting. The MMSA was established from a former organization called "Mobile Marketing Solution Study Group" which was formed in 2004. The founding members include IMJ Mobile, Aeria, Altovision, A-Care Systems, Comason Factory, Think Ware, D2 Communicaions, Dentsu Tech, United World, Yumemi and Recruit. MMSA says that the mobile marketing industry will dramatically change in the next few years as mobile devices will connect with other media and services.
4/12/2006
MIC compiles the "FY2005 Survey on Supply-side and Demand-side Trends for Telecommunications Services"
www.soumu.go.jp (English Release)
The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communication (MIC) has compiled the "FY2005 Survey on Supply-side and Demand-side Trends for Telecommunications Services (Current Status in FY2005)". In line with the "Basic Approach of Competition Review in the Telecommunications Field" and the "FY2005 Details for Implementation of Competition Review in the Telecommunications Field", MIC has conducted a survey on the "Current Status of Markets in FY2005", as part of the "Competition Review for FY2005". In FY2004, MIC compiled the competition status for such market segments as "mobile communications", "Internet access" and "intra-company networks". In FY2005, the "fixed telephone" market segment is added to those segments, for grasping a wider range of market trends. MIC will, based upon the "Current Status of Markets in FY2005", compile a report on the results of FY2005 competition evaluation.
4/12/2006
I-O Data starts selling RoHS compliant USB cables
www.iodata.jp (Japanese Release)
I-O Data Device will release its new eco-friendly USB cables, "USB-3GWR" (for au CDMA 1X WIN), "USB-3GFR" (for DoCoMo FOMA) and "USB-3GVR" (for Vodafone 3G terminals) in mid May. Each cable is priced at 2,100 yen and is 34 centimeters in length. Each model is developed in accordance with RoHS standards which are based on the EU's environmental regulations that prohibit the use of toxic substances that damage the human bodies at the time of disposal. The regulations prohibit the use of lead, mercury, cadmium, sexivalent chrome, polybrominated biphenyl and polybrominated diphenyl ether.
4/13/2006
Citizen develops new LCD display that does not consume power
www.citizen.co.jp (Japanese Release)
Citizen Watch successfully developed a "Memory LCD Display" which retains images after the power has been turned off; as opposed to the existing displays which do not retain images without power. The new display uses a new technology called "Crystal Clear Fine" which is an inorganic orientation film. The new display functions at 1/10 of a second and only consumes 1/50 of the electricity that existing displays use. The company plans to first adapt the display to watches, but aims to expand use to mobile phone's sub display and electronic books.
4/13/2006
DoCoMo develops "Acoustic" OFDM to send data along with sound
www.nttdocomo.co.jp (Japanese Release)
DoCoMo announced that it has successfully developed "Onkyo (acoustic) OFDM (Orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing)" a technology which enables one to send text data such as URL to a mobile phone along with sound. This new technology is based on OFDM, which is used with WiFi, and can be transmitted with sound signals. Onkyo OFDM is capable of reaching speeds up to 1 kbps speed and can deliver approximately 100 words/texts in 1 to 2 seconds. With the technology, broadcasters can send URLs or other information of a program to a listener's (or viewer's) mobile phone with music and/or voices. The new technology can be utilized with emergency applications as well. For example, in the event of a natural disaster, voice instructions with text information can be broadcasted to mobile phones and devices.
4/13/2006
NEC develops face recognition engine for mobile phones
www.nec.co.jp (Japanese Release)
NEC recently developed a high-performance, compact-sized face recognition engine which can be installed on mobile phones. The company developed the technology based on its face recognition engine called "NeoFace" which is widely used for passport control. The company re-designed the engine with a smaller processor and reduced the memory usage to approximately 1/5 of the existing model. The new engine utilizes a perturbation space method, simulating the changing angles of a face with registered face images. It can recognize faces under various lighting as well. It takes only 0.3 seconds to recognize a face at ARM9 216MHz. The company plans to commercialize the product for not only mobile phones and PDA devices, but also security systems.
4/17/2006
Yozan and SRI will establish a joint venture for WiMAX service expansion
www.yozan.co.jp (Japanese Release)
Yozan and Sophia Research Institute announced that they have reached a basic agreement to establish a joint venture for WiMAX services expansion. The joint venture will be established in mid May as a subsidiary of Yozan and start operation by the end of June. The joint venture will act as a Mobile Virtual Network Enabler and will provide a comprehensive ‘one-stop' service, including commerce and content distribution site development, to Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNO).
4/18/2006
Intel Capital invests 5 billion yen into Bitwallet
www.intel.co.jp (Japanese Release)
Intel Capital Japan, a subsidiary of Intel Corporation, announced that it has invested 5 billion yen into Bitwallet which operates electronic money "Edy". Prepaid electronic money, or "Edy" as it is called, is installed on Osaifu Keitai (mobile wallet) phones, which have over 3 million users as of April 16. 5 billion yen will be used for market development, which will encourage the use widespread use of Edy, through personal computers as well as at storefronts.
4/20/2006
KDDI and Seiko jointly develop small information module
speed.sii.co.jp (Japanese Release)
KDDI and Seiko Instruments announced that they have developed a small information module called M1TA01A for CDMA 1X and that the module will be sold in mid April. M1TA01A's size is 37 x 50 x 5.3 mm and weight is 23g. It was developed for use in industrial devices such as tele-metering devices. It is capable of speeds up to 144kbps on the downlink and 64kbps on the uplink. Also, it is compatible with OTA (Over The Air) protocol which enables users to input and delete phone numbers and other data remotely. The companies say it is useful for remote monitoring systems used in conjunction with products such as vending machines, automobile and security systems.
4/24/2006
Domestic mobile phone shipments increase by 5.2% after a decline in the previous two years
www.m2ri.jp (English Release)
MM Research Institute published research results about domestic mobile phone shipments from April 2005 to March 2006. According to the report, total shipments increased by 5.2%, reaching 46,250,000 units, and recorded year-on-year positive growth after the two year declines. With attempts of mobile-service providers and manufacturers to absorb various demands of users, expansion of the market was lead by acceleration of product diversification such as phones with latest design, high spec phones with full internet browser, and entertainment phones with music distribution service. By the end of March 2006 total subscribers increased by 4,790,000 compared with a year ago, reaching 91.79 million, though net annual increases tend to decelerate because penetration ratio of mobile phone service is exceeding 70% of the overall population, which is close to the saturation point. Among the subscribers, user of third-generation (3G) services, such as FOMA and CDMA2000 1X, totals 48.33 million, accounting for 53% of the total. Still, transition from 2G to 3G service is estimated to accelerate, accounting for 75% of the total in 2006 and 87% in 2007.
4/24/2006
Mobile phone application version of RSA SecurID is developed
www.nttdata.co.jp (English Release)
RSA Security Japan and NTT DATA announced that they have jointly developed a mobile phone edition of RSA SecurID, the default standard one-time password authentication system. The system has more than 70 percent of the market share of both the Japanese and world markets. A one-time password is also called "throwaway password," and is an authentication technology that makes use of a different password each time authentication is performed. With RSA SecurID, a new password is only valid one time and can not be predicted by the user. A new password is generated every 60 seconds. Since the password changes in 60 seconds, it cannot be used to guess future passwords even if it is stolen by a third party. The product was developed by porting the one-time password product RSA SecurID to mobile phone platforms and will run on DoCoMo i-Appli, au EZ Appli/BREW, and Vodafone V-Appli.
4/24/2006
Seven leading Asian mobile operators form alliance for global roaming and corporate mobile services
www.nttdocomo.com (English Release)
Far EasTone Telecommunications, Hutchison Essar, Hutchison Telecommunications, KT Freetel, DoCoMo, PT Indosat Tbk and StarHub announced that they have formed an alliance to enhance members' competitiveness in international roaming and corporate mobile services in their own countries/regions and across Asia-Pacific. It is expected that through this alliance, multinationals as well as business and leisure travelers will be able to enjoy greater convenience, ease of use and value-added mobile features when they roam onto other members' mobile networks. The alliance, tentatively called the "Asia-Pacific Mobile Alliance," boasts a combined customer base of about 100 million mobile subscribers over eight countries and regions. The alliance plans to expand its members over time. The alliance will promote voice, video and data roaming via members' GSM/GPRS and /or W-CDMA networks, with an intention to launch roaming via HSDPA networks once the market is ready. These initiatives are targeted for launch in the latter half of 2006. One of the other aims of this alliance is to create a Virtual Home Environment amongst customers of member operators, so that they are able to experience seamless, convenient mobile-related services when they roam. Customers can expect a caller ID display service, as well as a short-code service to allow travelers quick and easy connection to their home country/region operator's voice mail and customer-support center, etc. The alliance is also planning to enhance cross-border customer support for multinational corporations.
4/25/2006
eAccess applies for the Mobile WiMAX field trial license
www.eaccess.net (Japanese Release)
eAccess announced that they have applied for a Mobile WiMAX field trial license. The one year trial will start in June and will be conducted in Tokyo. The company said that it will contribute to the collection of engineering data of wide area wireless access in the 2.5 GHz zone. The company plans to conduct tests such as 2.5GHz radio wave transmission, transmission speed and frequency efficiency rates, hand-over IP technology and adaptation of various applications.
4/26/2006
KDDI and Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ will establish a mobile internet bank
www.kddi.com (Japanese Release)
KDDI and Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ announced that they will establish a mobile net bank in early 2007. Both companies will invest equally into this new bank and plan to establish a preliminary entity in May. The companies said that they plan to offer "completely new types of financial services using mobile phones as the main channel" and that users can transmit money and open accounts remotely using mobile phones. In addition, they plan to offer other transaction services for shopping and auctions, consumer financing service and credit card services through mobile phones.
4/26/2006
N-Vision develops face recognition software with skin recognition
www.n-vision.jp (Japanese Release)
N-Vision will start shipping its face recognition software, "face Recognition SDK v1.2.3", which has a new skin recognition feature. The new software can recognize faces by comparing wrinkles, pores and roughness of skin. The company said that accuracy improved 200%, compared with the previous version. Also, the new software recognizes face and skin during the same processing stage so that it can even distinguish between twins, who have been historically difficult to tell apart in the past. The company's face recognition software has already been installed on the DoCoMo SH902i and the company plans to develop recognition software for other mobile phones and devices in the future.
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