The Times: Tech special - How Japan won the 3G race
Japan is way ahead of Europe in implementing third-generation technology, reports David Rowan
Japan can justifiably claim to be the birthplace of the third-generation mobile-phone network. Last October, after a six-month delay due to technical glitches, NTT DoCoMo launched the world's first commercial 3G service in parts of Tokyo and neighbouring areas. Early results suggest that the public is impressed.
Even before the 3G launch, NTT DoCoMo led the way in putting the Internet in people's hands. Since 1999, its i-mode phones have developed a huge following among Japanese of all ages, and by January more than 31 million consumers were using the handsets to play online games, exchange e-mails, swap pictures and access horoscopes. Rival services EZweb and J-Sky also had more than nine million users each, with entertainment services proving most popular.
The 3G phones go further, offering faster Internet access and streaming video, as well as greater voice clarity. Almost 150,000 volunteers wanted to participate in the current trial, although a scarcity of handsets meant just 3,330 were initially selected for what is known as Foma (Freedom Of Multimedia Access). Speeds can reach 384kbps, 40 times faster than conventional wireless data calls. Participants have been given the handsets free, but pay according to the amount of data they send and receive.
Since the launch, new applications have been rolled out gradually. Video-on-demand transmissions began last November and new handsets are being tested.
Expectations are high: the earlier i-mode phones are used for everything from paying for vending-machine drinks to listening to the latest pop songs. NTT DoCoMo generally receives a share of the call revenue.
This spring, the company is bringing its i-mode service to Europe, starting in Germany. Meanwhile, in Japan, the innovation continues. Last month it emerged that the company is starting to test a fourthgeneration phone network that could be in use by 2010. It claims that video pictures could be transmitted at twice the quality of a conventional television signal and data downloaded at 260 times the speed of today's 3G service.
As usual, the rest of the world will have to sit back and watch.
(The Times, April 9 2002)
Japan can justifiably claim to be the birthplace of the third-generation mobile-phone network. Last October, after a six-month delay due to technical glitches, NTT DoCoMo launched the world's first commercial 3G service in parts of Tokyo and neighbouring areas. Early results suggest that the public is impressed.
Even before the 3G launch, NTT DoCoMo led the way in putting the Internet in people's hands. Since 1999, its i-mode phones have developed a huge following among Japanese of all ages, and by January more than 31 million consumers were using the handsets to play online games, exchange e-mails, swap pictures and access horoscopes. Rival services EZweb and J-Sky also had more than nine million users each, with entertainment services proving most popular.
The 3G phones go further, offering faster Internet access and streaming video, as well as greater voice clarity. Almost 150,000 volunteers wanted to participate in the current trial, although a scarcity of handsets meant just 3,330 were initially selected for what is known as Foma (Freedom Of Multimedia Access). Speeds can reach 384kbps, 40 times faster than conventional wireless data calls. Participants have been given the handsets free, but pay according to the amount of data they send and receive.
Since the launch, new applications have been rolled out gradually. Video-on-demand transmissions began last November and new handsets are being tested.
Expectations are high: the earlier i-mode phones are used for everything from paying for vending-machine drinks to listening to the latest pop songs. NTT DoCoMo generally receives a share of the call revenue.
This spring, the company is bringing its i-mode service to Europe, starting in Germany. Meanwhile, in Japan, the innovation continues. Last month it emerged that the company is starting to test a fourthgeneration phone network that could be in use by 2010. It claims that video pictures could be transmitted at twice the quality of a conventional television signal and data downloaded at 260 times the speed of today's 3G service.
As usual, the rest of the world will have to sit back and watch.
(The Times, April 9 2002)
posted by David Rowan at Tuesday, April 09, 2002
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