DDI and IDO to Launch CDMA Packet Service
Source URL: biz.yahoo.com
DDI and IDO to Launch CDMA Packet Service
Providing Wireless Internet Access Using Phone.com's UP.Link Server
Suite
DDI's EZweb and IDO's EZaccess With PacketOne Service Expected to Increase Number of Users by
Offering New UP.Browser-Enabled Mobile Phones
REDWOOD CITY, Calif., Jan. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Phone.com, Inc. (Nasdaq: PHCM - news) announced today that Japanese network operators,
DDI and IDO, are launching a CDMA-based packet service, ``PacketOne,' for their wireless Internet access services EZweb and Ezaccess, both of
which are based on the Phone.com(TM) UP.Link(TM) Server Suite. DDI and IDO initiated the EZweb and EZaccess services in April 1999 using
a Japanese nationwide cdmaOne(TM) network. The new PacketOne packet communication service will be available on January 7, 2000.
(Photo: newscom.com )
Mobile phones, each equipped with the Phone.com UP.Browser(TM) microbrowser, will be available along with the PacketOne service and will
include Toshiba (C301T), Hitachi (C302H), Casio (C303CA), Sanyo (C304SA), and Sony (C305S). These mobile phones will provide access to
Internet-based information and applications and include the ability to send and receive email, and access nearly 200 content sites including news,
stock information, weather forecasts, travel, sports and foreign content.
Commented DDI Executive Vice-president Tadashi Onodera, ``Our international industry standard compatible EZweb service has been
well-received by our customers since the service began last April. We expect that the new packet communications service will provide improved
connectivity and enhanced convenience. Users will be less concerned about connection time since the service is charged based on the volume of
information transmitted. The number of cdmaOne subscribers exceeded 3 million as of November 23, 1999, an increase of 2.5 million in the 7
months since we began offering the service. After starting the packet service we will make all cdmaOne cellular phones WAP-compatible, and
therefore, we expect a significant number of users will use WAP services. Further, we will also promote our 'Mobile & IP' strategy by a
commitment to Electronic Commerce business through enhancement of transaction-based content.'
Mr. Satoshi Nakagawa, president of IDO remarked that, ``The combination of cdmaOne's excellent voice quality and the EZaccess wireless
Internet access provides a high level of customer satisfaction. Introducing 64 kbps high speed packet communications service via cdmaOne-based
mobile phones is an important turning point in our drive to create new service areas that connect mobile and IP communications. In the future, we
plan to enhance the EZaccess service and the content of packet communication services and further strengthen the cdmaOne product line.'
Phone.com executive vice-president Chuck Parrish said, ``Phone.com is pleased to see DDI and IDO deploy world-leading data capabilities in
their CDMA network and equipment for every mobile phone with a browser. 64KB/sec PacketOne service should provide rapid, global wireless
Internet access throughout the Japanese market.'
UP.Link Server Suite provides for the delivery of WML content to any WAP handset, and backward compatibility with existing HDML content
for these handsets, giving network operators the ability to support the broadest selection of wireless Internet applications available. The UP.Link
Server Suite also enables interactive information services and applications, including email, visual voicemail, personal organizers and electronic
customer care. Since 1996, Phone.com solutions have been licensed to over 52 network operators worldwide.
About DDI
DDI, the 2nd largest telecommunications carrier in Japan, provides long distance, international telephone, Internet connection, mobile phone, and
PHS services. With respect to mobile phone services, DDI provides services through the DDI-Cellular Group, which consists of eight subsidiaries
covering areas outside the Tokyo and Tokai regions. The number of subscribers reached 6.1 million in November 1999. The three companies in the
TUKA Group that are newly-affiliated with DDI began providing services in the Tokyo, Tokai and Kansai areas on October 1, 1999, and the
TUKA group had 3.2 million subscribers as of November 1999.
About IDO
IDO is a mobile phone service provider founded in March 1987 primarily by Toyota Motor Corporation and Tokyo Electric Power Co., Inc.
Having its business in the Tokyo and Tokai areas, the center of the Japanese economy, IDO established a tie-up relationship with DDI-Cellular
Group for the introduction of new cdmaOnce services which began in April 1999 and built a seamless nationwide network. The number of IDO
subscribers using the digital PDC method and cdmaOne will reach four million soon. This year, in addition to the high-speed PacketOne data
communications service, IDO plans to begin offering an international cdmaOne-based roaming service to connect countries including Korea, Hong
Kong, U.S. and Australia.
About Phone.com
Phone.com, Inc. is a leading provider of software and services that enable the delivery of Internet-based information services to mass-market
wireless telephones. Using its software, wireless subscribers have access to Internet- and corporate intranet-based services, including Email, news,
stocks, weather, travel and sports. In addition, subscribers have access via their wireless telephones to network operators' intranet-based telephony
services, which may include over-the-air activation, call management, billing history information, pricing plan subscription and voice message
management. Phone.com is headquartered in Silicon Valley, California and has regional offices in Belfast, London and Tokyo. Visit
phone.com for more information. |
