Confirming previous rumours, KDDI and Okinawa Cellular will add full browser functionality to a number of their CDMA 1X WIN handsets. The browser software will be provided by Opera Software, whose browser implementation for mobile phones is well regarded among users.

Author's note: A service like this is well suited to the WIN handsets, which have data transmission speeds high enough to provide a decent service. For the rest of us, I guess we'll just have to stick to using Google's WML proxy service!

KDDI and Okinawa Cellular have announced that they will release CDMA 1X WIN handsets with full browser functionality by year's end. The "PC Site Viewer" will allow users to browse almost any website, not just those specifically designed for mobile phones. In conjunction with the release, Prices for data packet discount services will also be revised.

Rumours of full browser functionality for au phones have existed for a while. According to the announcement, compatible handsets will be loaded with browser software from Opera Software.

Communication charges for the use of the "PC Site Viewer" will be 0.21 yen/packet. With the introduction of the "Double Flat Rate" discount on 1 December, the content of all packet discount services will be revised and further discounts will become available.

Under the revisions, the "Packet Discount WIN Super", "Packet Discount WIN Middle", "Double Flate Rate" and Packet Discount WIN" services will be adjusted to include the use of the "PC Site Viewer". Communication charges per packet for each plan will be 0.01575 yen, 0.02625 yen, 0.0525 yen and 0.084 yen respectively.

The maximum charge for EZweb and email use for the "Packet Discount WIN Super"and "Packet Discount WIN Middle" services will also be fixed at 4,410 yen, the same as the "Double Flat Rate" service.

In conjunction with these changes, users who are currently jointly using the "Double Flat Rate" and "Packet Discount WIN" services will have the "Packet Discount WIN" will be automatically removed from their accounts. Users who are using the "Packet Discount WIN Super"or the "Packet Discount WIN Middle" service in conjunction with the "Double Flate Rate" service, will have the "Double Flat Rate" service automatically stopped.

Inspired by:
http://k-tai.impress.co.jp/cda/article/news_toppage/20863.html

News Release:
http://www.kddi.com/corporate/news_release/2004/1006/