With the approaching advent of G technology, wireless vendors hoping to gain a competitive edge are pooling their resources and expertise to accelerate the development of advanced mobile solutions. Recently, we have seen Sony and Ericsson as well as Toshiba and Siemens enter into working relationships.

Setting competitive rivalries aside Japan's Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., along with one of its subsidiaries, Matsushita Communication Industrial Co. Ltd. has agreed to work with NEC Corporation, in a move to carve out a global position in the development of 3G handsets.

The convergence of mobile communications and Internet technologies along with high-speed networks, promising the latest in mobile music, video and broadcasting, can only be possible with the backing of extensive capital and technical expertise. With this in mind, Matsushita and NEC have entered into agreement that helps pool their resources and speeds up product development. Under the agreement, the companies will collaborate in the development of applications software; cooperate in designing specifications for 3G handsets; and develop mobile terminals targeting the mobile media market.

With a captive Japanese market of 42 million people browsing the mobile Web, the electronics companies intend to penetrate the overseas market, positioning themselves up against Nokia, Motorola, and Ericsson.

Speaking with Associated Press, Matsushita’s president, Kunio Makamua, said, "It has reached the point that the strength of one company isn’t going to be enough." NEC’s vice president Mino Sugiyama also stressed that to conquer the European 3G market, Japanese companies must set aside rivalries and cooperate.

Matsushita, which holds a 26% share of Japan's handset market, and NEC, which has 23%, are the only companies in Japan to have 3G cellular phones as part of DoCoMo's introductory 3G service, which was launched in late May.

For more information: http://www.nec.co.jp