Sun and NTT DoCoMo Join Forces to Develop
Breakthrough Services and Support for the World's
Largest Digital Cellular Network
NTT DoCoMo i-mode Cellular Service Subscribers and Suppliers to
Benefit from Sun's Jini(TM) and Java(TM) and JavaCard Technologies
PALO ALTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 17, 1999-- Sun Microsystems, Inc. (Nasdaq:SUNW - news) and NTT
DoCoMo today announced they have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to significantly enhance the features and
functionality of one of the world's largest digital cellular network.
NTT DoCoMo plans to deploy Sun's Java(TM) and Jini(TM) and JavaCard technologies to its i-mode digital cellular phone
and wireless services and support, as well as its next generation W-CDMA services. NTT DoCoMo currently services over
23 million cellular phone subscribers.
The i-mode phone and services allow consumers to browse the web, check e-mail and take advantage of online services such
as e-commerce, city guide and public transportation navigation aid.
Java and Jini technologies are expected to make the i-mode service even more compelling by providing enhanced security for
mission critical applications such as online banking and trading and increased functionality, including game downloading services
and interactivity with other devices on the network.
In addition, Java technology, will allow NTT DoCoMo to dynamically upgrade and manage i-mode software and services.
''The mission of the i-mode service is to deliver highly value-added services to consumers with support from over 70 content
providers,'' said Keiichi Enoki, Gateway Business, NTT DoCoMo. ''Java and Jini technologies allow us to be more responsive
to the ever-growing requirements for consumers, and make our network future proof.''
Jini connection technology, which enables any device to participate in a network regardless of the underlying software or
hardware, serves as a constitution for network devices, defining the basic rules of how devices connect to the network, share
information, and interact.
With Jini connection technology, i-mode phones will simply connect to other devices on the network, providing consumers with
a broad range of benefits including the instantaneous synchronization of directories in cell phones, pagers, PDAs and PCs.
''Our alliance with NTT DoCoMo sets a real milestone for the adoption of Java and Jini technologies in the consumer device
market,'' said Mark Tolliver, president, Consumer and Embedded, Sun Microsystems, Inc.
''This initiative will accelerate the use of Java and Jini technologies to the global wireless industry, bringing their benefits to
millions of consumers and increasing the rate of innovation in applications and services.''
The technologies used and developed in this collaboration will be available through Sun's Community Source License, which
provides a more flexible process for content providers, systems integrators, and manufacturers to adopt and use these ground
breaking technologies.
Sun and NTT DoCoMo, with support from manufacturing and content associates, currently plan to demonstrate the first
prototype of the Java technology-enabled i-mode phone this year.
About NTT DoCoMo
NTT Mobile Communications Network, Inc. (NTT DoCoMo), Japan's largest mobile communications operator provides a
comprehensive range of wireless services including cellular phone, paging, satellite mobile communication, maritime telephone
and in-flight telephone.
Services are provided nationwide by nine regional subsidiaries. NTT DoCoMo had more than 23.7 million mobile phones
subscribers as of the end of 1998, including both Personal Digital Cellular (PDC) and Personal Handyphone System (PHS)
mobile phone customers. Consolidated sales reached 2.6 trillion-yen in fiscal 1997, which ended in March 1998.
NTT DoCoMo expects to introduce third-generation mobile communications system based on Wideband CDMA
(W-CDMA) system next year. NTT DoCoMo was listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange in October 1998.
About Sun Microsystems, Inc.
Since its inception in 1982, a singular vision, ''The Network Is The Computer(TM),'' has propelled Sun Microsystems, Inc.
(Nasdaq:SUNW - news), to its position as a leading provider of high quality hardware, software and services for establishing
enterprise-wide intranets and expanding the power of the Internet. With more than $10.5 billion in annual revenues, Sun can be
found in more than 150 countries and on the World Wide Web at sun.com.
Note to Editors: Sun, the Sun logo, Sun Microsystems, Java, Jini, and The Network Is The Computer are trademarks or
registered trademarks of Sun Microsystems, Inc. in the United States and in other countries.
Contact:
Burson-Marsteller for Sun
Gwen Murphy, 415/591-4055
gwen_murphy@bm.com
or
Sun Microsystems K.K.
Toshio Arita, +81-3-5717-5170
ari@japan.sun.com
or
NTT Mobile Communications Network, Inc.
Masami Kawasaki, +81-3-5563-7045
masami_kawasaki@seeds.nttdocomo.co.jp
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