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Page 3 of 4
1. 3G
2. US Wireless companies in Japan
3. GPS
4. Mobile Commerce
5. New Applications, Services
6. Market
7. Others
1. 3G
NEC Establishes LTE
Demonstration Center
www.nec.co.jp
(English Release) 7/30/2008
NEC established an LTE (Long Term Evolution) demonstration center at its Tamagawa office (Kawasaki-city) for customers who
plan to install LTE systems. The center demonstrates end-to-end LTE systems that are comprised of subscriber terminals, core
networks, application servers and wireless access products, such as flat architecture compact base stations and remote radio
equipment. NEC was selected by DOCOMM as a vendor for the development and manufacture of "Super 3G” (LTE) wireless base
station equipment and "Super 3G” mobile handsets. Moreover, in February 2008, NEC and Alcatel-Lucent agreed to form a joint
venture that focuses on development and delivery of LTE wireless broadband solutions for communications providers throughout
the world. The company claims that it will capitalize on the LTE facility to offer customers first-hand experience with
advanced mobile technologies that provide high speed/high volume data communication with reduced latency.
Japan Communication
introduces high-speed PC adapter using FOMA 3G network
www.j-com.co.jp (Japanese Release) 8/6/2008
Japan Communication released "b-mobile3G hours150” service along with a USB PC device that allows high-speed Internet access
over the FOMA network. This is a prepaid service by which the user can purchase 150 hours of Internet connectivity using
HSDPA (maximum downlink with 3.6Mbps, theoretically). The device comes bundled with 150 hours of Internet access that must be
used within 480 days. The device costs 39,900 yen and no registration is required. Upon expiration of the initial 150 hours,
additional time can be purchased. This service is available throughout Japan and can be used seamlessly with the DOCOMO FOMA
network infrastructure due to the MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Service) arrangement between those companies. The USB device
and software were developed by ZTE, a Chinese company.
K-Opti.com starts
providing fixed rate HSDPA connection service as MVNO
www.emobile.jp (Japanese Release) 8/28/2008
K-Opti.com released an MVNO service using EMOBILE's HSDPA network as an option for its "eo mobile” service. The service is
mainly targeted to individual users and the basic fee for monthly service is 1,000 yen with an additional charge of 0.042 yen
per packet. The maximum charge will be 4,680 yen per month. A two-year contract is required and the user needs to purchase a
USB adapter D02HW for 9,980 yen plus pay an initial set up fee of 3,150 yen. The maximum downlink speed is 7.2 Mbps and the
max uplink is 384 Kbps.
HSDAP router is
released by Sun Denshi
www.sun-
denshi.co.jp (Japanese Release)
Sun Denshi will release a high-end mobile router named Rooster-G8.0 in September. This router is compatible with a USB2.0 or
card-type network adopter/phone of HSDPA service provided by DOCOMO, EMOBILE, WILCOMM, Softbank, KDDI and IIJ. Rooster-G8.0
is capable of downlink speeds up to 7.2Mbps and it routes data through 5 gigabit (1000BASE-T, 100BASE-Tand 10BASE-T) Ethernet
ports with VPN capability. The router comes equipped with one remote access port by which the user can access via PHS, FOMA,
or other mobile phones or device. Moreover, the router has VRRP protocol, which is a secondary routing protocol, for
emergency use. VRRP can be setup to be automatically activated as the main routing function if the primary router
fails.
2. US Wireless companies in Japan
Audience provides voice processor based on human hearing system to DOCOMO's
latest mobile phone
www.audience.com
(English Release) 6/12/2008
Audience announced that its industry-first voice processor, based on the intelligence of the human hearing system, enhances
DOCOMO's new mobile phone, Sharp SH705iII, which was released in April. The Audience A1010 Voice Processor supports Sharp's
Triple Kukkiri Talk by providing noise suppression, voice equalization, and voice stretch performance. Whether the noise
source is in the caller's environment, or originates on the other end of the call, the voice processor instantaneously
reduces multiple noise sources including airport PA systems, restaurant noise, car noise and street noise. The end result for
the consumer is clear voice communication over mobile networks in places never before imagined.
EMOBILE added incoming features on IP phone, using JAJAH
software
www.emobile.jp (Japanese
Release) 7/1/2008
EMOBILE upgraded its "EM ONE α”, a Windows Mobile 6.0 based PDA featuring IP phone using JAJA Phone software (VOIP
application). In addition to its up-to-now outgoing-only call feature, subscribers can now assign 050-prefix-phone numbers
(Japan's IP phone number prefix) and receive calls from either landlines or mobile phones. Calling charges are 2.4 yen per
minute for landline calls and 15.99 yen per minute for mobile phone calls. Subscribers between "EM ONE α” can make/receive
phone calls using a JAJA phone number at no cost. Some restrictions still remain, such as not being able to make emergency
calls (110 or 119, equivalent to 911) to police and fire departments from the IP phone. 050-numbers can be established by
paying a setup fee of 400 yen and monthly fee of 380 yen. The setup and monthly fee must be paid by credit card.
DOCOMO launches BlackBerry Internet service
www.nttdocomo.com (English Release) 7/7/2008
DOCOMO will launch BlackBerry Internet Service, which allows a direct connection to Internet without the need for a dedicated
server. BlackBerry deployed the service on August 1 to respond to requests from individuals, as well as small to midsize
businesses, which wanted a simple yet convenient, low-cost system for web browsing and email with the BlackBerry 8707h smart
phones in Japan. BlackBerry 8707h will be sold through the company's online store, the corporate business division and
through DOCOMO Shops' corporate business sections. BlackBerry Internet Service will cost 3,045 yen per month and FOMA's basic
monthly fee and normal packet charges are applied separately. On September 1, they are planning to launch a discount packet-
billing service, called BlackBerry Data Transmission Package, which will enable users to transmit up to 80,000 packets of
data per month for a flat charge of 1,680 yen. Data exceeding this limit will be charged at 0.0525 yen per packet.
3. GPS
MapFan starts GPS based points of interest search engine on mobile
phone
www.incrementp.co.jp (Japanese
Release) 6/28/2008
Increment P started a new GPS based location service on the MapFan mobile site, which is operated jointly with Mitsui & Co.
Ltd. The new service is called "GPS Map Radar Mode” and it allows users to set up to 5 categories such as convenience stores,
coffee shops and public toilets to be shown as icon-based locators on the mobile phone. It displays desired points of
interest on the mobile phone by one click and searches within 2- kilometer (1 1/4 mile). The service is available for DOCOMO
imode, au EZWeb and Softbank Yahoo! Keitai.
Ioi Insurance utilizes GPS locator on mobile handsets for the road assistant and
insurance service
www.ioi-
sonpo.co.jp (Japanese Release) 7/18/2008
Starting on October 1, Ioi Insurance will launch a service to locate disabled vehicles by utilizing the GPS function of
mobile phones. Drivers can send their location information along with a phone call to an operator of the service in the event
they get stuck in an unfamiliar place. It also helps for roadside assistance service personnel to find the accurate location
and arrive there quickly. It is the first service of its kind in the insurance industry and is available for GPS enabled
DOCOMO, au, Softbank mobile phones.
4. Mobile Commerce
KDDI, jointly with Mitsubishi UFJ Bank, starts banking business for
consumers
www.jibunbank.co.jp (Japanese Release)
7/17/2008
KDDI and Mitsubishi UFJ Bank have jointly established Jibun Bank (My Bank) on July 17. Jibun Bank's services are only
available online and are accessible via mobile phones (EZweb, imode and Yohoo! Ketai), Internet enabled PC's, and via
telephone (the service features an interactive voice response system). The Jibun Bank has deals with Mitsubishi UFJ Bank,
Seven Bank, Yucho Bank to provide ATM services. Customers can easily make payments for online auctions and deposit WebMoney
or Edy of au Osaifu Keitai through their Jibun Bank account. The bank claims that it provides an excellent online security
system as well as secure email notice features. The bank also says that newer services such as foreign currency exchanges,
loans, credit card, security brokerage, and insurance services will be available in the future.
73% of respondents have purchased fast food with mobile coupons, the survey
shows
www.mobile-
research.jp (Japanese Release) 8/5/2008
NetAsia Research conducted a survey with 455 mobile users on usage of coupons obtained through a mobile phone. According to
the results, 52.1% of respondents have used a coupon received through their phone and 34.3% of respondent were aware of
coupons but never used them. In total, 86.4% of respondents knew of the availability of the coupons. Recognition percentages
of males and females are 45.1% and 58.1%, respectively. The most popular places to use the coupons were at fast food chains
(73.1% used), followed by CD/video rental stores (40.1%), other restaurants (19.8%), family restaurants (26.6%), karaoke
(15.2%) and movie theaters (13.9%). Those who used the coupons said that their information resources were email magazines
(65.4%), fast food chain's mobile website (32.5%), portal sites for coupons (25.7%), free paper (24.9%), in-store
poster/flyer (24.1%) and email from stores (15.6%).
5. New Applications, Services
Frontmedia broadcasts ABC's LOST on mobile TV
www.frontmedia.jp (Japanese Release) 6/6/2008
Frontmedia started broadcasting LOST Season 1, provided by Disney-ABC International Japan, on their mobile television site
"QTV” free of charge from June 6. It is the first time that LOST is broadcasted on mobile handsets in Japan. A new episode
will be updated every week. Moreover, all episodes of LOST Season 1 can be downloaded at 210 yen per episode for 2-day-
viewing duration from the QTV Video site.
Mobile Diet features to keep dietary records by emails
www.mobile-diet.jp (Japanese Release) 6/6/2008
Mobile Diet, a free mobile site, added an email feature to let users manage their diet and health records by sending a list
of food via mobile phone without accessing the website site. The mobile site calculates calories of the menu, replies by
email and stores data in the user's dietary record file. For example, a user emails the menu of a lunch which includes a
salad, pasta carbonara and yogurt to the website. The site then responds via email with the estimated calories of the meal:
"Salad 43 kilocalories, pasta 607 kilocalories, yogurt 98 kilocalories and the total 748 kilocalories” and records the data
in his/her health file. The user can also send other information such as date, time, weight and amount of food as well.
Moreover, the site is compatible with the voice recognition system of DOCOMO's Raku-Raku phone.
New plug–in for "Pocket U” enables to retrieve recorded video in PC and play it
on mobile phone
www.tvgadget.jp (Japanese Release)
7/8/2008
Framework studio started a new service called "TV Pittato” to enhance existing DOCOMO's "Pocket U” service (500 yen monthly)
that allows users to retrieve video content stored in PC at home on their mobile phone. TV Pittato service divides video
content into sections with thumbnails and subtitles so that the user can select any video scene to play. For example, the
user can pick the most interesting story of the daily news program rather than watching from the beginning. In order to use
this service, the users need to install software on their home PC. This service is compatible with video capture products
from Sony, Fujitsu and I/O Data. Currently, it only supports analog broadcasting and does not comply with digital
broadcasting.
Bandai releases Smartberry, a toy of personal wireless
communication
www.bandai.co.jp
(Japanese Release) 7/16/2008
"Mobile Communicator Smartberry” is designed for girls between the ages of 6 and 9. Smartberry creates its own network area
called "Wai Wai Communication” over an area of 10-meters in diameter using RF communication. Up to 4 users can send and
receive e-mails, chat with friends and play online games. Users can input text using a slide-out keypad or they can write or
draw graphics using the included stylus. Off-line games such as fortune-teller are also available. Other functions include an
appointment book, class schedule, calculator and alarm. The price is 10,290 yen.
mixi releases its official application for iPhone 3G and iPod
touch
http://mixi.co.jp (Japanese Release)
7/30/2008
mixi released its official application that enables the SNS features on iPhone 3G and iPod touch. Users can activate most of
mixi's features such as writing/reading a journal with photos, commenting and the "what's new”. If users want to see detailed
information they can do so by clicking the application that opens the Safari browser to access each web page. This
application can be downloaded from App Store at free of charge.
NetFront Browser Widgets community site supports WILLCOM Gadget
www.access-company.com
(English Release) 8/4/2008
ACCESS began providing downloads on its beta NetFront Browser Widgets community site for WILLCOM Gadget, the widget service
of WILLCOM (PHS provider in Japan). Users of handsets that support WILLCOM Gadget can download their favorite widgets, mini
applications displayed in small GUI windows on the screen of a handset, for free directly from the Japanese version of the NetFront Browser Widgets community site. In addition, NetFront Browser
Widgets community site provides a variety of Widget applications - such as maps and calendars - but also collects feedback to
improve product features and more effectively meet user needs. NetFront Browser Widgets community site beta was launched on
July 1, to allow users to download and try free widgets for mobile devices. NetFront Browser Widgets are based on ACCESS'
acclaimed NetFront technology with over 590 million deployments worldwide. WILLCOM Gadget is available for the WILLCOM 9
(WS018KE) handset from KES.
Bandai releases Dragon Ball RPG game for mobile handset
www.bandai-net.com (Japanese Release)
8/6/2008
Bandai Networks started the RPG (Roll Play Game) of Dragon Ball at DOCOMO's Dragon Ball mobile site. This RPG features the
main characters of Dragon Ball such as Goku, Piccolo and Krillin and the game's stories are based on Saiyan Saga and Buu's
Fury. New games will be added every month. The games are compatible with DOCOMO 703i and 901i series or later models. The
monthly fee is 315 yen.
GMO added its Exchange service with iPhone 3G
http://pr.gmo.jp (Japanese Release) 8/6/2008
GMO Hosting & Security announced that its Windows based hosting service now complies with iPhone 3G Exchange Active Sync.
Currently, the Windows Hosting Suite "Isle” offers three features, which includes SaaS (Software as a Service) based
Microsoft Exchange Server service from mobile phone, file/data sharing and web hosting service for small to large
corporations. The Exchange Server service enables those corporate users to manage email, appointments and file sharing via
the iPhone 3G. The monthly fee is 980 per account.
Fujitu introduces "Spotcast” using weak radio wave for contents delivery to 1-
Seg handset
http://pr.fujitsu.com
(Japanese Release) 8/6/2008
Fujitsu releases a new video contents delivery system, called Spotcast, which runs over weak radio wave. Spotcast delivers
video within a 2 meter diameter distance, and it is designed to transmit product information and coupons to 1-seg mobile
handsets in a store setting. Fujitsu also offers the video content development service. Spotcast content can be managed
through a PC or via network. The company plans to fully utilize Spotcast with its FENICS II network service, 1-seg content
development service, in the future. The price of Spotcast transmitter SC-U100M5 is 298,000 yen, the cost of 1-seg video
development starts from 75,000 yen (5-minute long).
6. Market
Half of female users using pictogram emails on mobile handset
http://blog.ishare1.com (Japanese Release)
6/23/2008
iSHARE, a research firm, released latest survey of email usage with pictogram and emoticon from 433 respondents of its Club
BBQ (email) members from June 11 to 13. According to the survey, 55.2% of female respondents use pictogram emails, followed
by 25.1% who use emoticons and 19.7% who don't use either pictograms or emoticons. On the other hand, 38.7% of male
respondents do not use either pictogram or emoticon, followed by 34.8% who use pictograms and 26.5% who use emoticons.
Moreover, 26.1% of female respondents created their own pictogram whereas only 10.9% of males did. The most famous character
-based alphabet of facial expression was "ω” like ^ω^.
Mobile sales reached 1.146 trillion yen in 2007
www.soumu.go.jp (Japanese Release) 7/18/2008
Minister of Internal Affairs and Communication (MIC) conducted its survey of carrier's official mobile sites and estimated
annual sales in the market in 2007. According to the survey, annual sales in the entire mobile market reached 1,146 billion
yen, an increase of 23% compared to the previous year. Within annual sales, the mobile commerce market, which includes
shopping, services and transaction based, showed a rapid increased of 29% and reached 723 billion yen. On the other hand, the
sales of mobile contents achieved growth of 16%, 423 billion yen. Ring song, games and electronic books also showed rapid
growth. Mobile advertisement and sales promotions were not covered in this survey.
7. Others
Japanese government grants WiMAX licenses to 42 firms
www.soumu.go.jp (Japanese Release) 6/16/2008
Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) granted WiMAX license using the 2.5 GHz spectrum to 42 regional
applicants. The regional WiMAX is expected to allow high-speed Internet access to rural areas where broadband infrastructure
does not exist. By providing these licenses, MIC estimates 630,000 households will receive local WiMAX services throughout
Japan. Among the 42 firms, 41 of the firms are regional CATV operators. WiMAX is expected to utilize local communication tool
for various community services including disaster management, monitoring seniors and children, and public
announcements.
Renesas releases SH-MobileUL2 processor incorporating multimedia-processing
functions
http://america.renesas.com (English
Release) 6/12/2008
Renesas Technology announced the SH-MobileUL2 application processors for mobile phones, designed for priced mobile phone
incorporating multimedia-processing functions. Sample shipments will begin in June in Japan. The processor boosts the video
processing performance of its predecessor such as the SH-MobileUL and SH-MobileL3V, by approximately 30%, and helps reduce
overall system cost by integrating peripheral device functions. SH-MobileUL2 incorporates a VPU (Video Processing Unit) high
-performance video processing IP that supports the H.264/MPEG-4 AVC moving image compression standard used in Japanese ISDB-T
terrestrial digital broadcasting. It also adds on-chip memory dedicated video processing memory that boosts the video
processing performance by approximately 30%, and achieves 30 fps encoding and decoding performance at D1 size (720 x 480
pixels), up from the VGA (640 x 480 pixels). The SH-MobileUL supporting for terrestrial digital broadcasts required the
addition of external devices to implement USB 2.0 (Hi-Speed) Host/Function support and a D/A converter for TV output on chip.
The company claims it contributes to reduced system costs by reducing the total number of parts required and simplifies the
system design and makes it possible to realize more compact handsets. The SH-MobileUL2 uses a 284-pin BGA package measuring 8
mm x 10 mm. It is designed to be paired with a single SiP (System in Package) external memory device containing either 128
megabits or 256 megabits of DDR1 (Double-Data-Rate 1) mobile RAM, which contributes to system compactness and reduces the
current consumption during memory accesses.
DOCOMO joins Mobile leaders to unify the Symbian software platform and set
the future of mobile free
www.nttdocomo.com (English Release) 6/24/2008
Nokia, Sony Ericsson, Motorola and DOCOMO announced their intent to unite Symbian OS), S60, UIQ and MOAP(S) to create one
open mobile software platform. Together with AT&T, LG Electronics, Samsung Electronics, STMicroelectronics, Texas Instruments
and Vodafone they plan to establish the Symbian Foundation to extend the appeal of this unified software platform. To enable
the Foundation, Nokia announced plans to acquire the remaining shares of Symbian Limited and then contribute the Symbian and
S60 software to the Foundation. Sony Ericsson and Motorola announced their intention to contribute technology from UIQ and
DOCOMO has also indicated its willingness to contribute its MOAP(S) assets. From these contributions, the Foundation will
provide a unified platform with a common UI framework. A full platform will be available for all Foundation members under a
royalty-free license, from the Foundation's first day of operations. Contributions from Foundation members through open
collaboration will be integrated to further enhance the platform. The Foundation will make selected components available as
open source at launch. It will then work to establish the most complete mobile software offering available in open source.
This will be made available over the next two years and is intended to be released under Eclipse Public License (EPL) 1.0.
The Foundation's platform will build on the leading open mobile software platform, with more than 200 million phones, across
235 models, already shipped by multiple vendors and tens of thousands of third-party applications already available for
Symbian OS-based devices.
Consortium Established to Develop and Promote Close Proximity Wireless
Technology "TransferJet"
www.transferjet.org (English Release) 7/17/2008
Sony, Canon, Eastman Kodak, Hitachi, JVC, KDDI, Kenwood, Panasonic, Nikon, Olympus, Pioneer, Samsung, Epson, Sony Ericsson,
Toshiba formed a consortium to develop specifications for interconnecting products using "TransferJet” a new interoperable
wireless transfer technology that enables rapid transfer of high resolution video, music and images. TransferJet Consortium
plans to promote a wide range of products and services incorporating TransferJet technology with the aim of accelerating its
adoption throughout the consumer electronics industry. TransferJet wireless technology enables a high-speed data transmission
rate of 560Mbps, while eliminating the need for complex setup and operation. Directly touching two compliant electronic
products together allows files to be transferred automatically, without the need for an access point. TransferJet can be used
as a universal interface across all consumer electronics devices. TransferJet Consortium will develop specifications and
guidelines ensuring interoperability between products incorporating the technology, establish licensing schemes and
administer the use of the TransferJet logo.
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