Topic: NTT DoCoMo
Category: Mobile Phones
Technorati: Linking Blogs

For those of you that don't know, FeliCa is a contactless IC system that intended to be integrated with cellular phones, allowing users to make small purchases by simply waving their FeliCa-containing phone over a receiver. An example would be a vending machine; just put your phone by the surface, make your selection, and enjoy a tasty beverage.

This article is coming from an English NTT DoCoMo press release (yeah, that's what I said), because I still have plenty more to write today.

TOKYO, JAPAN, June 16, 2004 --- NTT DoCoMo, Inc. and its eight regional subsidiaries today announced the July 2004 launch of the i-mode® FeliCa® Service for mobile wallet applications, which will be used in combination with the company's first four i-mode smart-card handsets—three 2G mova® 506iC series handsets and the 3G FOMA® F900iC handset—which also will be launched in early July.

DoCoMo's revolutionary new service and smart-card handsets can be used for a variety of unprecedented functions, including train pass, debit card (electronic money), credit card and personal identification card, applications previously possible o­nly with IC-equipped cards.

The handsets are equipped, for example, to use Sony's Edy e-money system for purchases at 9,000 participating shops in Japan. Current balances and payment records can be viewed using the handsets.

Initially, 39 mobile service providers will offer m-wallet functions via the i-mode FeliCa Service. Customers will go to the providers' websites and download i-appli™ applications to use these functions with their DoCoMo i-mode smart-card handsets.

DoCoMo previewed the i-mode FeliCa Service for six months beginning last December using mobile phones equipped with Sony Corporation's FeliCa smart card technology.

The new i-mode FeliCa Service and i-mode smart-card handsets are among the latest examples of how DoCoMo is expanding the scope of wireless culture, turning i-mode mobile phones into multifunctional tools for everyday life.

For more details about the new 506iC-series and F900iC-model handsets, please see the attachment.

Attachment

i-mode and FOMA are trademarks or registered trademarks of NTT DoCoMo, Inc. in Japan and other countries.
mova and i-appli are registered trademarks or trademarks of NTT DoCoMo, Inc. in Japan.
NTT DoCoMo's FOMA service is o­nly available to subscribers in Japan.
FeliCa is a contactless IC chip technology developed by Sony Corporation.
FeliCa is a registered trademark of Sony Corporation.
mini SD is a trademark of SD Association.
Photococktail is a trademark of Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. Ltd.
Memory Stick Duo is a trademark of Sony Corporation.
Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel are product names of Microsoft Corp.
Microsoft and PowerPoint are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.