NTT DoCoMo

Big wireless firms eye emerging markets

Sue Marek — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 11:05:54 -0500

As growth slows in mature wireless markets, many of the big wireless firms are making acquisitions in emerging markets where wireless phone usage is soaring. U.K.-based Vodafone recently gained control of South African operator Vodacom. In addition, Japan's NTT DoCoMo, Norway's Telenor and United Arab Emirates-based Etisalat, all recently acquired assets in India. Article

Nokia to launch its own MVNO in Japan

Phil Goldstein — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 11:23:09 -0500

Nokia will launch its own MVNO in Japan in the first half of 2009. According to reports in Kyodo News and the newspaper Yomiuri Shimbun, which cited unnamed sources, the world's largest handset maker will begin offering wireless service in Japan, and will focus on the high-end market with its luxury Vertu phones. The company will use NTT DoCoMo's network.

The Japanese wireless market, which is dominated by DoCoMo, KDDI and Softbank, has been especially hard for Helsinki-based Nokia to crack because the operators retain tight control over what handsets make it into the market.

For more:
- see this IHT article

Related Articles:
Nokia dealt blow in Japan
Japan puts pressure on Nokia over battery issue

23. Brad Anderson, Chairman and CEO of Best Buy

Phil Goldstein — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 16:15:13 -0400

What makes him powerful: For a number of years competitor RadioShack had held the title of the best Big Box retailer of wireless devices, however that status has been challenged over the past year by Best Buy. And much of Best Buy's aggressive moves in the wireless space can be attributed to Brad Anderson. Anderson has been CEO of the consumer electronics retailer since 2002, and over the past few years he has helped usher the big box chain store into the wireless realm.

In May 2008, Best Buy agreed to buy a 50 percent stake in U.K. mobile retailer Carphone Warehouse, and since then the company has been expanding its Best Buy Mobile sections in its retail stores. Currently it has 200 wireless-focused retail sections in Best Buy stores nationwide. The company wants to have between 30 and 50 standalone Best Buy Mobile outlets up and running by year-end.

Anderson has also pushed Best Buy to make some firsts. In September, Best Buy became the first third-party retailer to sell Apple's iPhone 3G and looks to capitalize on that market position as sales of the iPhone 3G take off ahead of the holiday shopping season.

In mid-September, Best Buy also acquired digital music pioneer and content provider Napster for $121 million. That deal included Napster's mobile offering, Napster Mobile, an over-the-air music offering from AT&T. Best Buy also scooped up the mobile initiatives Napster had with O2 UK and NTT DoCoMo.

All of this adds up to an increasingly diversified wireless technology portfolio for Best Buy, and the designation that it is one of the leading, if not the leading electronics retailer in the mobile space.

NTT DoCoMo moves ahead with 'Super 3G' leaving questions about LTE

Jim Barthold — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 10:03:56 -0400

NTT DoCoMo's decision to push ahead with a "Super 3G" network suggests that LTE is on target for market introduction as early as 2010. DoCoMo has named long-time vendor partner Fujitsu to supply Evolved Packet Core (EPC) equipment for the network and previously selected NEC for basestations and terminals.

While potentially confusing terminology and technology, Super 3G, in DoCoMo's parlance, equates to pre-LTE. In an interview with FierceWireless, Peter Jarich, research director for Current Analysis said that DoCoMo has said they were going to do some (LTE) soft launches maybe next year. "DoCoMo wants to move early."

Whether it's called Super 3G or pre-LTE, DoCoMo is moving apace, almost serving as a huge beta testbed for interested providers around the world as the LTE standard evolves. Jarich added that Verizon Wireless will likely have LTE in 2010-2011. But for European operators 2013 may make more sense.

For more:
- see this article

Related Articles:
Nokia Siemens in joint LTE development with DoCoMo. Article
LTE networks still years away. Article

New NTT DoCoMo head grapples with competition

Lynnette Luna — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 12:49:08 -0400

NTT DoCoMo is seeing smaller rivals such as Softbank erode the company's dominance in Japan as its market share is now 52 percent compared with nearly 60 percent in 2001. Operating profit continues to decline and international investment opportunities aren't so hot. The company's recent blow was Softbank becoming the exclusive provider of the Apple iPhone in Japan, which is considered a marketing coup for Softbank.

As such, the new head of DoCoMo Ryuji Yamada said he's going to make some changes. He said DoCoMo is working to improve its services, focusing on keeping customers loyal rather than focusing on a massive land grab of customers. Yamada said this strategy involves instituting between 100 and 200 "concrete measures" that range from offering replacement batteries for handsets to premium customers after a year to developing handsets that target specific customer segments.

For more:
- read the Financial Times

Related stories:
NTT DoCoMo and Google to Partner in Mobile Internet Services. DoCoMo story
NTT DoCoMo takes stake in Bangladesh operator. DoCoMo international story

SPOTLIGHT: NTT trials mobile fragrance service

Mon, 07 Apr 2008 06:59:52 -0400

NTT DoCoMo announced today that it would launch a pilot test of its Mobile Fragrance Communications service. Why send roses when you can send the smell of roses? Right? Article

SPOTLIGHT: DoCoMo tells Softbank to pull handset

Mon, 17 Mar 2008 07:59:52 -0400

NTT DoCoMo filed an injunction against Softbank's latest Toshiba handset, which DoCoMo claims is "extremely similar" to a phone it released from Fujitsu in 2006. Both handsets target older consumers and sport easy-to-read menus and simplified designs. Article

KDDI founder to launch MVNO in Japan

Tue, 26 Feb 2008 06:59:54 -0500

KDDI founder Sachio Semmoto will launch a new MVNO called EMobile, which will run on NTT DoCoMo's network in Japan. The MVNO launches on March 28 and will undercut other carriers by offering cheap prepaid billing options and a cheap monthly plan. EMobile will charge callers about 17 cents for every 30 seconds of call time. Alternatively, EMobile customers can opt for a $9-a-month calling plan that is similar to the one offered by rival carrier Softbank. EMobile users will initially get a choice between a Toshiba handset and one made by HTC.

Goldman Sachs owns 35.7 percent of EMobile, while Singapore-based investment company Temasek owns 8.3 percent. Semmoto owns 37.6 percent of the MVNO.

For more on the MVNO:
- read this article from Financial Times

Alcatel-Lucent, NEC team on LTE, broadband

Tue, 12 Feb 2008 06:59:56 -0500

During a press conference this morning at the Mobile World Congress, Alcatel-Lucent and NEC today announced that they will join forces on LTE and broadband infrastructure gear. Specifically, the two firms, which have already collaborated on an LTE trial, will pool their R&D on MIMO (multiple in/multiple out), OFDM (orthogonal frequency division multiple access) and other IP technologies. Both companies said that by teaming on their efforts they will speed deployment of LTE, which they expect to have commercially available in 2009.

This collaboration will likely impact operators such as Verizon Wireless and NTT DoCoMo. Lucent is currently involved in an LTE trial with Verizon Wireless and NEC is working with NTT DoCoMo on its Super G LTE trial.

The two companies say that they will contribute equally to the R&D budget for this collaboration and it will be jointly managed. However both companies will be responsible for the fulfillment and execution of their network technology with their respective customers. -Sue

ALSO NOTED: DoCoMo profits up; Leap promo; and much more...

Tue, 29 Jan 2008 06:59:50 -0500

> According to Bernstein Research analyst Toni Sacconaghi, one million iPhones or 27 percent of those sold in 2007 have been reconfigured to work on networks other than AT&T's. Article

> NTT DoCoMo's Q3 profit rises 38 percent. Article

> Analyst: Leap Wireless' new $25 promotion could eat into results. Article

And Finally... Guinness Book of World Records certifies LeMillion as the world's most luxurious phone. Article. Also see this picture (might be the world's ugliest phone as well!)

Apple in talks with DoCoMo, Softbank for iPhone

Tue, 18 Dec 2007 06:59:57 -0500

According to a report in the Wall Street Journal, Apple has entered into talks with both NTT DoCoMo and Softbank for an iPhone deal in Japan. Apple CEO Steve Jobs recently met with DoCoMo's president Masao Nakamura and executives from both Japanese carriers have visited Apple's Cupertino offices in recent weeks. Apple is considered to be more interested in partnering with DoCoMo since its preference is generally for the carrier with the most subscribers in a given country, however, Softbank has been bullish on a deal. As always, the sticky wicket for the iPhone maker is the revenue share agreement, which some claim to be around 10 percent of revenues from the phone's users.

For more on the imminent deal:
- read this article from the WSJ (sub. req.)

Related Articles:
China Mobile in talks for iPhone Article
iPhone, it's just a phone... Article
iPhone makes official debut in Germany and UK Article

Japan grants KDDI, Willcom wireless data licenses

Tue, 18 Dec 2007 06:59:54 -0500

Japan's Communications Ministry has granted Willcom and a group led by KDDI licenses to operate next-gen wireless broadband services, according to a report from Nikkei. If the report proves true, the decision means rivals DoCoMo and Softbank would have to lease network capacity from the licensed companies. Japan's next-gen data services will launch in 2009 and give users high speed Internet connections of 20 megabits per second even while moving at 100 kilometers per hour. The KDDI group, which includes Kyocera, plans to launch WiMAX in the summer of 2009 through a JV with Intel, according to the report.

For more on the report:
- read this article from Thomson Financial

DEALS: Leap buys Hargray's wireless assets

Thu, 13 Dec 2007 06:59:52 -0500

DEALS
WHO	WITH	WHAT	SCOOP
MetroPCS	Alcatel-Lucent	MetroPCS has inked a deal with Alcatel-Lucent to build-out its network in major metropolitan areas with CDMA2000 technology.	The network will run on MetroPCS' AWS spectrum.
Leap Wireless	Hargray	Leap agreed to buy Hargray's wireless assets for $30 million.	The deal includes its 15 MHz wireless spectrum license, its network and most of its subscriber base.
Smith Micro	PCTEL	Smith Micro has acquired PCTEL's mobility division for $59.7 million.	The acquisition brings some high profile customers over to Smith Micro: AT&T, Sprint, Vodafone, Orange, NTT DoCoMo and T-Mobile.
Virgin Mobile USA	Telspree	Virgin Mobile USA inked a deal with Telspree for its over-the-air self-service activation application.	The service programs the phones and delivers secure authentication to any non-active, wireless device without the need for customer care inputs.

Smith Micro buys PCTEL's mobile group

Tue, 11 Dec 2007 06:59:56 -0500

Smith Micro Software has acquired PCTEL's mobile division for $59.7 million. The group offers software that lets users roam between various networks: 3G, WiFi, WiMAX and VoIP. The acquisition brings some high profile customers over to Smith Micro: AT&T, Sprint, Vodafone, Orange, NTT DoCoMo and T-Mobile.

"PCTEL's Mobility Solutions Group is the ideal complement to our existing technologies and plays to our strength in key growth markets in the wireless software universe," said William Smith Jr., president and CEO of Smith Micro Software. "This acquisition not only expands our technology portfolio, but it is a significant step in the evolution of our business. This transaction will enable us to significantly broaden our customer base."

For more on the deal:
- read this press release

Asian carriers interested in U.S. 700 MHz auction?

Mon, 10 Dec 2007 06:59:54 -0500

While AT&T looks to APAC for growth, it seems some Asian carriers are looking at the U.S. BusinessWeek is running a carefully-worded, speculative piece on whether Asian carriers like Japan's NTT DoCoMo or KDDI will play a role in the outcome of the 700 MHz auction.

"Google is trying to acquire spectrum now. Maybe they will be looking for a partner" for their network, NTT DoCoMo USA's Masaki Yoshikawa told BusinessWeek, but stressed that the companies have not discussed such a move. "Perhaps we can be involved in the process," he said.

For more on DoCoMo's interest in the auction:
- read this article from BusinessWeek

Google Android round-up

Tue, 06 Nov 2007 06:59:57 -0500

More details about Google's mobile plans rolled out yesterday afternoon. To recap, Google has buddied up with 34 different partners in the technology space (including NVIDIA, Intel, Texas Instruments, Synaptics, Marvell, Qualcomm, Motorola, Samsung, T-Mobile, Sprint, Skype, LG, HTC, KDDI, DoCoMo and China Mobile) to create the Open Handset Alliance (OHA)--a group focused on building an open, fully customizable alternative to closed operating systems like Windows Mobile 6, Symbian S60 and the iPhone OS. The OHA's first product will be Android, an open-source mobile OS and associated application suite that's built on the Linux operating system (and will be open-sourced via the Apache v2 License). The Android SDK will be made available to developers on November 12th and Android-sporting handsets will flood the market next year, from device manufacturers like HTC, LG, Motorola and Samsung. These handsets will be available during the second half of 2008 in the U.S. (from T-Mobile USA and Sprint) China, Japan, Germany, Italy and Spain. As has been reported earlier, the Android OS will be targeted toward consumers and will be available to OEMs free of charge (the OS will be ad-supported, like all of Google's other apps).

For more on Google's plans:
- check out these promotional videos from the company
- read this blog post from Google
- read how Android might affect IT departments (WSJ sub. req.)

Related Articles:
June: Google outlines mobile strategy Article
Google now running Adwords on mobile Article
Google's latest moves show prep for gPhone Article

Google details cell phone agenda

Mon, 05 Nov 2007 06:59:58 -0500

After months of rumors and speculation, Google has finally revealed some details of its ambitious cellular phone agenda. The company said today that it is creating a new cell phone platform, called Android, that will include an operating system, user interface and applications.

But the company isn't going it alone. Instead it has enlisted the help of at least 30 high profile partners as part of the initiative, called the Open Handset Alliance. The group includes manufacturers such as HTC Corp., Qualcomm, Samsung and Motorola and operators T-Mobile International, Sprint Nextel and NTT DoCoMo. Of course, noticeably absent from the list are the two largest U.S. operators: AT&T and Verizon Wireless.

For more:
- see this WSJ article. (sub req.)
- see this NY Times piece

Related Articles:
June: Google outlines mobile strategy Article
Google now running Adwords on mobile Article
Google's latest moves show prep for gPhone Article

SPOTLIGHT: NTT DoCoMo and ADSL Internet SP Acca Networks

Thu, 11 Oct 2007 06:59:52 -0400

Japan's NTT DoCoMo and ADSL Internet SP Acca Networks plan to invest about 200 billion yen in broadband services by 2015 if they are able to acquire a WiMAX wireless license. Article

ALSO NOTED: China makes half of all phones shipped in Q2; KDDI slashes prices; and much more...

Thu, 04 Oct 2007 06:59:50 -0400

> A blogger over at CNET blames AT&T for his updated iPhone's lack of hacked applications. Article

> KDDI cuts calling rates as price war heats up. Article

> China makes half of all phones shipped in Q2. Article

> Coalition targets telco censorship. Article

And Finally... DoCoMo's "Fitness Phone" fights fat and bad breath. Article

DoCoMo to make phone swiping obsolete

Wed, 03 Oct 2007 06:59:54 -0400

While the prospects for mobile financial services are just beginning to come to see light in the U.S., Japan has enjoyed NFC-enabled mobile payments for quite some time. Swiping your phone over a turnstile to pay for a subway fare, for example, is common in cities in the country. Now DoCoMo is looking to make that swipe obsolete with a concept phone that lets users pay through their mobile without it even leaving their pocket. The phone has a sensor built by Kaiser Technology that sends electric signals through the human body to transmit data. Payments at the tip of your fingers, literally.

For more on the concept:
- read this write-up over at Textually.org