No i-mode future in Nokia’s US-GPRS phone
debut
(Comment by Tony Chan)
Nokia’s first GPRS phone for the US market makes no
mention of support for content created using the technical
parameters of NTT DoCoMo’s i-mode service, an omission
that could spark a standoff between the world’s leading
wireless Internet operator and the world’s biggest handset
manufacturer by far.
The GPRS-enabled Nokia 8390 features a Wireless
Access Protocol (WAP) mobile Internet browser
supporting the WAP 1.2.1 specification, which still uses
WML as the markup language instead of i-mode’s cHTML.
NTT DoCoMo’s i-mode service is built on a platform of
cHTML and was a main point in NTT DoCoMo’s $9 billion
deal to tie up with AT&T Wireless of the US. As part of the
deal, NTT DoCoMo and AT&T, in a joint releases,
announced a tender for GPRS handsets for the network
which specifically requested support for both WAP’s WML
and i-mode’s cHTML.
The Nokia GPRS phone, with availability set for the end of
the year, will hence defy the wishes of NTT DoCoMo and
AT&T.
It would be easy for Nokia to support cHTML by integrating
a different microbrowser into their phone.
Whether or not Nokia will do so in time for the AT&T
Wireless GPRS launch, or will remain defiant with a
WAP-only product, could change the direction of the GSM
market in the US and perhaps the world, with NTT
DoCoMo’s partners in the Netherlands with KPN Mobile.
With Nokia’s market share in the handset sector at around
30%, no doubt everyone will be watching closely to see
which direction Nokia will go in respect of i-mode. Nokia’s
support of cHTML will solidify i-mode outside Japan. Its
refusal to do so could spark a major stand off between it
and NTT DoCoMo, who is much more accustomed to
handset vendors agreeing to its every whim back in Japan.
It will be a stand off of colossal proportions, with no clear
favorite in sight.
telecomasia.net |
