NeoMedia Technologies, Inc (NEOM)

[ss9173]

OT DD StarHub to roll out i-mode in Singapore
Telecoms.com News
18 November 2005

http://www.telecoms.com/marlin/30000000461/ARTICLEVIEW/mp_channelid/30000000378/Marlinsource/V2autoM...

Japanese operator NTT DoCoMo announced today that Singaporean operator StarHub will launch its i-mode service tomorrow. StarHub's launch of the service marks the 15th market for i-mode following Japan, Germany, the Netherlands, Taiwan, Belgium, France, Spain, Italy, Greece, Australia, Israel, Russia, England and Ireland, in that order.

DoCoMo formalized an agreement with StarHub in January of this year to provide the operator with the technology and patents to launch i-mode.

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More about I-mode:

http://www.nttdocomo.com/corebiz/services/imode/

Japan's cellular phone market has grown faster than many of other markets of its kind in the world. By September 2005, Japan had 89 million subscribers — more than half its entire population. The history of this remarkable achievement represents an unprecedented breakthrough in mobile communications, as well as an unmatched expansion in communications capabilities available to consumers.

Soon after the shift from analog to digital technology in the early 1990s, NTT DoCoMo pioneered the development of non-voice mobile communications with DoPa, Japan's first mobile "packet" communications service introduced in 1997. Anticipating that the cellular phone market would soon become saturated, and seeing that DoPa was a success, the company stepped up its efforts to build on to the evolution of non-voice mobile communications and develop new, innovative, mobile internet platform for the customers.

NTT DoCoMo had the foresight to create i-mode at a time when the Japanese market for mobile phones was reaching maturity and users were in need of new services. Accordingly, we introduced i-mode in 1999, and it rapidly achieved an unparalleled level of acceptance. Rather than simply generating new revenue for our company in a saturated marketplace, i-mode was a resounding success with customers, redefining the meaning of mobile communications.

The first of its kind, this remarkably convenient new form of mobile service has attracted millions of customers since its debut in February 1999. With i-mode, mobile phone users get easy access to more than 94,000 Internet sites, as well as specialized services such as e-mail, online shopping and banking, ticket reservations, and restaurant advice. Users can access sites from anywhere in Japan, and at unusually low rates, because their charges are based on the volume of data transmitted, not the amount of time spent connected. NTT DoCoMo's i-mode network structure not only provides access to i-mode and i-mode-compatible content through the Internet, but also provides access through a dedicated leased-line circuit for added security.

i-mode is the platform for mobile communications that has revolutionized the way more than one-fourth of the people in Japan live and work. Six years after its launch, i-mode continues to grow dramatically in popularity, boosted by expanding offerings, and low fees and charges. By September 2005, i-mode was an integral part of the business and personal lives of 45 million NTT DoCoMo customers.

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About I-mode FeliCa

http://www.nttdocomo.com/corebiz/services/imode/felica.html
-mode FeliCa is a new service made possible by the synergy of two platform technologies: NTT DoCoMo's mobile Internet service, i-mode, and Sony's contactless IC chip technology, FeliCa. FeliCa's speedy and secure data transmission technology was combined with i-mode, which enables communication wherever the user may be. As a result, a handset becomes a mobile tool for convenient new uses, serving as e-money, credit card, ticket, or even house or office key.

Details on i-mode FeliCa are available at the Interconnected World.


How i-mode FeliCa works

In the i-mode FeliCa handset, an IC chip featuring FeliCa technology is integrated with an internal antenna. This IC chip operates by detecting weak electronic signals emitted by a reader/writer (external device), and can even function when the handset is turned off.

Note: Have the battery pack attached when using the IC card function. When the power is switched off, the IC card functions will be available by waving the FeliCa-marked side of the handset up to the reader / writer (external device), though FeliCa compatible i-appli cannot be activated. Please note that you must charge the battery when the IC card function is not available, because the battery pack has not been used for a long time or has been left uncharged after the battery alert is activated.


i-mode FeliCa features

By i-mode and FeliCa coming together, the various ways FeliCa can be used is extended beyond what was available until now.

The following are three distinct i-mode FeliCa characteristics.

(1) Network function
With i-mode's network, users can enjoy online services like charging or paying with electronic money or buying tickets.


(2) Viewer function
Using i-mode's display, users can check on FeliCa-related information such as purchase history using i-mode FeliCa and remaining balance.


(3) Multi-application function
Users can enjoy the convenience of several services on a single mobile phone.



Expanding array of applications

i-mode FeliCa will make your wallet more slim. It can be your cash, credit card, membership ID, and even your house key.

It has made the mobile phone handset more convenient and capable. It's no longer just a handset — it has become a way of life.

Note: FeliCa is a contactless IC chip technology developed by Sony Corporation. FeliCa is a registered trademark of Sony Corporation.

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