|
News
Issue #2002 - 18
(May 2002)
(Updated May
15, 2002)
TECHNOLOGY
NTTDoCoMo to License its 3G Mobile Communications System
Japan's dominant mobile carrier NTTDoCoMo said it will begin licensing "essential patents" relating to its proprietary W-CDMA technology developed for its FOMA 3G network. The carrier refers to essential patents as "those that are necessary for the manufacture of products or systems that satisfy the standards of relevant standardization committees."
DoCoMo says it plans to make its patents available "on reasonable and non-exclusive terms" to encourage foreign manufacturers of network equipment to develop compatible W-CDMA systems.
The licensing of its proprietary technologies, whether it be i-mode or now W-CDMA, is all part of DoCoMo's strategy to move beyond its domestic market and into the less saturated European and American markets.
For more information: www.nttdocomo.com
MobileInfo.com’s Comments & Advisory: This is a
good strategy on the part of NTT DoCoMo. However, we must bring
attention of the industry to a recent attempt by Nokia to ask 3G
technology patent holders like Qualcomm, Motorola and Ericsson
to reduce their patent-licensing fees. While we generally agree with
Nokia's motivation, we do not feel that licensing fees are the cause
of failure of 3G to become deployed. There are bigger issues here and
we must take a holistic and comprehensive look at the problem. We must
not punish technology innovators like Qualcomm. But we do support the
debate on high technology licensing fees by
Qualcomm.
Note: This news release may contain
forward-looking statements. Readers should take appropriate caution in
developing plans utilizing these products, services and technology
architectures. All trademarks used in this summary are
the property of their respective owners.
|
