Wireless Federation

NTT DoCoMo begins tests for its real time voice translation service (Japan)

On 11.11.11, In Mobile, By Editor

NTT DoCoMo, Japan’s leading wireless operator, has reportedly achieved success in the trial of its new service of a real time voice translator for mobile handsets. According to reports, the service was offered by the operator to 400 testers and is expected to be launched next year.

Currently, the service only offers translations between Japanese and English, with improved results of 90 percent accuracy in Japanese recognition and 80 percent accuracy in spoken English, as compared to the demo conducted earlier in the year.

As per sources, the service sends the voice input to remote servers where it is translated and sent back to the device in both text and voice form. Further, reports suggest that the translation can be used for live phone calls as well as a for a face-to face conversation.

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: Japan • NTT DoCoMo • translator

Fujitsu selects Atmel maXTouch service for DoCoMo Regza phone (Japan)

On 03.29.11, In Mobile, By Editor

Fujitsu has chosen the Atmel maXTouch service to power the touchscreen for DoCoMo’s Regza phone T-01C touchscreen.

The new Regza phone T-01C is based on the Android platform and is developed by Fujitsu which is sold exclusively by Japan-based NTT DoCoMo.

Fujitsu’s DoCoMo REGZA phone T-01C features a 12.2-megapixel camera, 4-inch touchscreen, TV, infrared communications, 720p video recording, GSM, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.

It also features the Mobile REGZA Engine 3.0, an engine based on the resolution technology employed in Toshiba REGZA LCD TVs, that is optimized for smartphones. This feature enables users to watch TV, YouTube and other videos on their mobile devices in high-quality resolution.

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: Atmel maXTouch service • Bluetooth • DoCoMo • Fujitsu • GSM • infrared communications • Japan • NTT DoCoMo • operator • Regza phone • T-01C touchscreen • TV • Wi-Fi

DoCoMo creates smartphone service department (Japan)

On 03.29.11, In Mobile, By Editor

NTT DoCoMo is aiming to strengthen its growing smartphone business by establishing the dedicated Smart Communication Services Department on April 1.

Integrating the existing Consumer Services Department and a section responsible for Smartphone Business under the Frontier Services Department, the new department will handle planning and development of mobile multimedia services, content and mobile web portals, and also promote security.

Senior Vice President Hiroyasu Asami, currently Managing Director of Consumer Services Department, will manage the new Smart Communication Services Department.

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: DoCoMo • Hiroyasu Asami • Japan • NTT DoCoMo • operator • Senior Vice President • Smart Communication Services Department • smartphone service department

NTT DoCoMo to cancel 140,000 shares (Japan)

On 03.28.11, In Mobile, By Editor

NTT DoCoMo will cancel 140,000 shares (0.32 %) of issued shares.

The treasury stock will be cancelled on March 31 and the number of issued shares after cancellation will be 43.65 million.

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: issued shares • Japan • NTT DoCoMo • operator • Shares • treasury stock

NTT DoCoMo to sell LG Optimus Pad (Japan)

On 03.28.11, In Mobile, By Editor

NTT DoCoMo is all set to begin the sales of LG Optimus Pad L-06C tablet across Japan from March 31.

The Optimus Pad is powered by the Android 3.0 operating system, features an 8.9-inch display, and dynamic stereo speakers. The Pad also comes with a 5.1-megapixel rear camera and a 2 megapixel front-facing camera, GPS, HSDPA/HSUPA support, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity.

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: Android 3.0 operating system • Bluetooth • camera • GPS • HSDPA/HSUPA support • Japan • LG Optimus Pad • NTT DoCoMo • operator • Wi-Fi

Net Mobile initiates SMS fund-raising programme (Germany)

On 03.27.11, In Mobile, By Editor

NTT DoCoMo’s German subsidiary Net Mobile has initiated a fund-raising initiative, called text2help, to support disaster relief efforts in Japan.

The initiative uses Net Mobile’s worldwide mobile billing platform. The text2help allows subscribers of all German mobile operators to support the disaster relief efforts simultaneously through monetary contributions and messages of encouragement.

By texting a message to 88688 from anywhere in Germany, US$7.01 per message is deducted from the subscriber’s mobile phone account. The funds are donated to Japan Platform. Expansion of the initiative to other countries is under consideration. In Japan, DoCoMo is already operating a separate programme via its i-mode mobile internet service to gather donations for Japan Platform.

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: Germany • Japan • Net Mobile • NTT DoCoMo • operator • SMS fund-raising programme

Verizon Wireless completes successful 4G LTE Technical Trials Using the Ecrio Client Framework for Next Generation Rich Communications Services

On 03.23.11, In Mobile, By Editor

Verizon Wireless today announced the successful completion of technical trials of 4G LTE IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) powered voice, video and mobile content sharing services using the Ecrio client framework. Verizon Wireless selected Ecrio’s IMS client application framework in 2009, and the product has since been qualified and embedded in a range of mobile devices in preparation for launch across the Verizon Wireless 4G LTE network.

The trials signal progress toward proving the technology and value of rich communication services (RCS) and media applications that are compelling for customers using Verizon Wireless’ 4G LTE network. Working together, Ecrio with its SIP/IMS service clients, and Verizon Wireless continue to bring RCS applications closer to market.

“This is indeed an exciting milestone in our relationship with Verizon Wireless,” said Tad Bogdan, Ecrio chief executive officer. ”Ecrio is committed to both product innovation and continuing to work closely with Verizon Wireless and its device suppliers to integrate the client functionality needed for deploying successful end-to-end services. LTE has become the technology of choice for 4G deployments and Verizon Wireless is leading the way with the first broadly deployed LTE network. Ecrio is delighted to be working with Verizon Wireless to extend the bounds of mobile communications.”

About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless operates the nation’s fastest and most advanced 4G network and largest and most reliable 3G network, and serves more than 94 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 82,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications and Vodafone (LSE, Nasdaq: VOD). For more information, visit www.verizonwireless.com. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.

About Ecrio

Ecrio is the leading supplier of SIP and IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) based communication client software solutions for the mobile industry. The Company’s FastTrackâ„¢ family of communications solutions includes device software products and solutions for IP communications and rich media. Ecrio was founded in 1998 and is headquartered in Cupertino, California USA with R&D and support centers in Cupertino, Japan, Korea, and India. The company is privately held with external funding provided by leading investment firms and leading companies including NTT DOCOMO and Visa, Inc. For more information visit: www.ecrio.com.

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: 4G • California • Cupertino • Ecrio Client Framework • IMS • India • Japan • LTE • Multimedia Subsystem • NTT DoCoMo • operator • USA • Verizon Wireless • Visa

NTT DoCoMo to sell Xperia arc from March 24 (Japan)

On 03.22.11, In Mobile, By Editor

Japan’s NTT DoCoMo is all set to begin the sales of Xperia arc SO-01C smartphone nationwide from 24^th March.

The arc is powered by Android 2.3 and supports download speeds of 14 Mbps. It is a touch screen mobile featuring Wi-Fi connectivity, FM Radio, GPS, Camera, Email, Instant messaging, 3.5 mm audio jack, Google Maps and Media Player.

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: 3.5 mm audio jack • camera • email • FM Radio • Google Maps • GPS • Instant Messaging • Japan • media player • NTT DoCoMo • operator • Sony Ericsson • Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc • Wi-Fi connectivity • Xperia Arc • Xperia arc SO-01C

Consolidation could take off in India as regulator considers relaxing acquisition laws

On 03.22.11, In Mobile, By Editor

India could soon see the number of operators in its market drop significantly, with recent reports suggesting that the country’s Department of Telecoms may relax merger and acquisition rules so significantly that it will leave only around six operators in any service areas.â€ In such a scenario, around 10MHz of spectrum would be available to each operator.

The suggested revisions could be addressed in an assessment of India’s telecom policies due to take place in April. Minister of Telecom Kapil Sibal is reportedly investigating ways of safeguarding smaller operators’ investments if they are acquired by larger firms; however, this could potentially drive up the prices for acquisitions, making them a less attractive option.

India has a significant amount of startup operators that hold 2G spectrum but have failed to make an impact on the market meaning that this spectrum, while not necessarily idle, could be further capitalised upon. Larger operators are keen to acquire more spectrum, and it is likely this demand that is driving support for consolidation.

Once the regulations have been relaxed, mergers are likely to take place between operators that already have a presence in India; many observers believe that the country’s high profile 2G licensing scandal has deterred foreign firms from investing in the country. The ongoing scandal was caused by local operators which attracted foreign investment by purchasing spectrum at a knockdown price. However, foreign-owned firms that are already present in India, including NTT Docomo and Vodafone Group, could shift their focus towards consolidation.

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: 2G • 2G Spectrum • Department of Telecoms • India • Kapil Sibal • merger and acquisition • Minister of Telecom • NTT DoCoMo • operator • Vodafone Group

NTT DoCoMo to merge smartphone and i-mode divisions (Japan)

On 03.08.11, In Mobile, By Editor

Japanese mobile services provider, NTT DoCoMo will combine its smartphone division with its i-mode division.

With the move, DoCoMo reportedly hopes to offer better applications and content for smartphones. The operator is also overhauling its customer service department as smartphones become more popular.

The company had, until recently, 2,500 employees answering calls from users of conventional mobile phones and 250 staff that catered to smartphone users. NTT DoCoMo will transfer 10 to 20 percent of the employees that cater to users of conventional mobile handsets to the group catering to smartphone users by the end of fiscal 2011.

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: i-mode division • Japan • Mobile • NTT DoCoMo • smartphone division