News
Issue #2002 - 36 (September 2002)
(Updated October 2, 2002)

INFRASTRUCTURE, PRODUCTS & SERVICES

NTT DoCoMo Continues to Offer New Services But Subscriber Success Slows Down

TOKYO, JAPAN, September 27, 2002 --- NTT DoCoMo, Inc. and its eight regional subsidiaries announced today that they will add four new features to DoCoMo's PDA portal site on October 1, 2002, providing PDA infogate contract users with an greater range of services.

Launched in February 2002, the PDA portal offers a wide variety of content and applications. The new additions include tools for storing information, accessing area-specific data, displaying web graphics and developing secure, non-HTTP-based intranet applications. In addition to these portal services, DoCoMo will be providing a variety of multimedia services. 

Following is an overview of the new features available at the portal, which can be accessed via a browser-equipped PDA connected to any DoCoMo PDC, PHS or DoPa mobile phone.

Information Storage
This feature allows users to copy and paste content from "Chizumaru for PDA," a Japan Computer Graphic Inc. site that provides map, address, dining, traffic and other useful information, into their PDAs. The user simply clicks the icon and the desired data is automatically transferred to relevant applications, such as an address book or organizer. Available free of charge, the function is compatible with Pocket PC, Pocket PC 2002, Zaurus and Palm OS devices.

Area-Menu Information
The area-specific feature automatically provides information, such as weather, shopping and restaurant location, relevant to the PDA user's locale. Data is organized according to the area in which the device is being operated, so that users can find items easily and quickly without having to deal with a vast amount of unrelated information. Free of charge, the new function is available for PDAs connected to PHS or DoPa terminals. "Weather gate" and "zm@p on net for infogate" content will be provided by Access Crossing/Weather Information System and Zenrin DataCom, respectively.

Web Graphics Display/Automatic Screen Adjustment
Available for Palm OS users, this feature enables web-based graphics to be displayed. 

Development of Secure, non-HTTP-based Applications
This feature allows PDA infogate group users to develop secure, non-HTTP-based applications, such as mail servers and stock inventory data storage, for use on company intranets. This function will be limited to infogate and "group option" users, and companies using dedicated networks.

M-stage V-Live Service
M-stage V-Live is a one-to-many video streaming service that streams both live and archived video content to PDAs connected to a PHS terminal. Both open and closed M-stage V-Live content is provided through the infogateTM portal site. Open content is available to all V-Live subscribers and includes music, sports highlights, news, animation, tourist information and more. Closed content is available exclusively to customers of content providers or corporate users. Examples of this content include English conversation lessons, security service and investor relation tools. The new service will be available for FOMA handsets in spring.

Content providers can choose two types of distribution form-live or archived video content. To provide live video content, providers need to connect their encoder PC to DoCoMo's V-Live Center via a dedicated circuit line. To provide archived content, providers need to send encoded content in the form of File Transfer Protocol to DoCoMo's server. 

M-stage Visual Net Service
M-stage Visual Net provides a communications platform that enables numerous people to participate simultaneously in mobile videoconferencing via FOMA video-enabled phones. Three different videoconferencing methods are possible. First, if a videoconference involves four people or less, the phone screen can be split into four windows to show each person simultaneously. Second, the phone can be set for full-screen display of each person (up to eight participants) as they speak. Third, all participants (up to seven participants) receive the same image from a single videophone. Visual Net service fee is 100 yen per month (additional FOMA transmission charges apply)

M-stage Book Service
M-stage Book service is designed to transmit digitized books and articles to PDAs and personal computers that are connected a DoCoMo PHS and FOMA terminal. Users can search for content by accessing the service site and inputting book titles or key words. Content can also be purchased and downloaded.

MobileInfo Comments and Advisory:  NTT DoCoMo's i-mode was an instant success when it was introduced a couple of years back. It introduced brand new technological and marketing concepts that Japanese subscribers accepted wholeheartedly and the world applauded. We did too. It became a showcase for the wireless service providers in other countries. But competition crept in soon and KDDI jumped in with its much-successful picture sharing service. DoCoMo is now in catch-up mode, from 3G subscriber metrics point of view. It gets tougher as technology matures. DoCoMo must continue to innovate and think of better ways to stay on the top.

Regarding these new services, we think that DoCoMo will find slow adoption. Mobile Video conferencing is a niche application unless we change the way we work and live. But Japanese consumers and businesses are tough to predict. As for application of these services in Europe and North America, just hold your enthusiasm and watch from the stands. 

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.