http://www.gizmo.com.au/public/News/news.asp?articleid=2820 The next generation of mobile phone services is fast approaching, with Japanese trials of 4G well underway and already promising incredible functionality and transfer rates. The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) definition of 4G defines a minimum stationary data rate of 1Gbps and a moving (say in a car or a train) data rate of around 100Mbps. Japan’s leading telco, NTT Docomo, reported on its 4G field trials to the International Conference on Beyond 3G Mobile Communications-2004 (ICB3G-2004) in Tokyo on May 26 and 27 and is confident of exceeding the necessary communication speeds by using MIMO (multiple input, multiple output) technology. In field tests being held in Kanagawa prefecture in Japan, NTT achieved up to 300 Mbps at 30kmh and an average moving transfer rate of 135 Mbps up to 1 kilometre from the base station. SK Telecom launched the world's first commercial IMT-2000 3G service in October 2000 in South Korea. Japan’s NTT DoCoMo launched its 3G service a year later, based on WCDMA. SK Telecom was again first with CDMA2000 1xEV-DO in 2002, enabling wireless access to multimedia content at broadband speeds. Australia has only one 3G service available at present – Hutchison’s 3 was launched in April, 2003 – with Vodafone expecting to have its service up and running by mid-2005. Telstra has not yet announced plans for its 3G roll-out. NTT Docomo’s, i-mode service is the most successful mobile service on the planet and has attracted over 41 million subscribers since its introduction – better than one in three people in Japan now use i-mode service. In just under 5 years, the communications style of sending and receiving e-mail by mobile phone, or gathering information and enjoying shopping via mobile phone websites, have become widespread. Approximately 10 mobile phone e-mails are sent per person each day, making such communications an important part of daily life in Japan. And with the spread of advanced mobile telephony, there have been significant change in the way people think and live in Japan. NTT Docomo has some remarkable trials and services available on its 3G network, such as: When a billboard ad interests you, click to receive more information. At the Roppongi Hills shopping complex in Tokyo Japan, a trial service began in November, 2003 for i-mode users possessing an RFID tag (a small radio transmitter with a range of about 10 meters) to take advantage of the R-Click service, which provides wireless access to various Roppongi Hills information relevant to location, time, and the user's pre-registered personal interests. Users simply press a button on the tag at certain locations in the complex to receive the information. NTT DoCoMo constructed the information distribution system for this service, which was originally developed as part of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry's e!Project based on the Japanese government's e-Japan strategy. The ability to pinpoint users at specific locations and deliver tailored information marks the beginning of a truly interconnected world. Purchase and exchange electronic tickets The "Electronic Ticket + Coupon" service was launched in October, 2003 and provides online shopping for tickets, covering everything from search and purchase to payment and admission. It also provides discount coupons and other useful information. Users register by accessing the "Electronic Ticket PIA i" website on i-mode and receive an electronic PO box called a “Digital Security Pocket” (DIGIPOKE), where purchased electronic tickets are stored. Members simply need to download these tickets to their mobile phone or an IC card and pass through the Digital Gate to enter the event. Users enjoy one stop ticket shopping, purchasing tickets right before an event, electronically sending tickets to friends, and other value-added features, while event organisers benefit from prevention of unauthorised ticket alteration and counterfeiting, selling tickets up to the last minute, and analysing purchasers' information or conducting online surveys for more effective marketing. Venues also have advantages such as the ability to count the number in attendance in real time, the use of low-cost electronic gate terminals, and the prevention of illegal entry. The first of its kind in the world, this service will help make access to leisure and entertainment more convenient than ever. Make reservations and move to the front of the line. LaQua is an entertainment complex in Tokyo that offers a range of services from natural hot springs to amusement park attractions, and was opened to the public in May 2003. As LaQua's official sponsor, NTT DoCoMo is involved in providing the park with cutting-edge mobile communications services, including attraction reservations and payment services based on i-mode, and delivery of real-time congestion information. The service, which was launched in Spring, 2003 allows visitors to maximise their time in the park and more fully enjoy their leisure hours. For example, they can make reservations for rides ahead of time and check for congestion at a particular roller coaster, eliminating the stress of waiting in line, which is especially important to people who lead a busy life. Contactless IC card service FeliCa is a technology developed by Sony for contactless IC cards, which are extremely difficult to alter or fabricate because of its high security features. Capable of fast data transmission and multipurpose use, these cards are especially easy to utilise because they require no connection with other devices. Moreover, their long-term reusability makes them an eco-friendly system. The Hong Kong Public Transport system adopted this technology in 1997, and was soon followed by the "Suica" automatic fare collecting gate with FeliCa technology of JR East. Approximately 47 million* IC cards featuring FeliCa technology are currently in circulation worldwide, and usage continue to rise with the introduction of digital money services such as "Edy", online credit services such as "eLIO" and various ID cards. NTT DoCoMo and Sony established FeliCa Networks, Inc. in January, 2004. Its primary initiative is to establish and manage platforms that enable service providers to offer user-friendly, high security mobile service. In the future, it plans to deliver the technology and service platform openly to a wide range of mobile operators and content providers. The move will bring new possibilities for enhanced services and applications as having IC card functionality available on mobile phones will accelerate the spread of electronic payment and serve as a trigger for new services in the future. The trial began on December 17, 2003 No need for cash or credit card, simply pay with your mobile. NTT DoCoMo and VISA began a trial service named VISA PPI in June, 2003, which enables cashless payment via NTT DoCoMo mobile phones equipped with an infrared function. Scheduled to be launched in Q3, 2004, the service allows users to make payments by sending their credit card data to a POS cashier via infrared transmission and signing their name. Operation is simple and the processing time of information is significantly shorter than conventional credit cards. Signatures are no longer required at some participating stores. The service has already undergone extensive trial testing in actual commercial settings. Testing began in June 2003 among a small number of volunteers, consisting of VISA members registered with Nippon Shinpan Co., Ltd., to confirm service viability and refine marketing strategies. Testing for business applicability began in October 2003 once enough affiliate stores and monitor users had volunteered to participate. By allowing mobile phones to function as credit cards, VISA PPI is opening up exciting new possibilities for electronic payment. i-motion mail Video mail service The i-motion service on the FOMA i-mode platform was launched in November, 2001 and handles advanced multimedia data, such as motion pictures and recorded voice. When words and still images are simply not enough, i-motion mail lets users send smooth (15 frames/second) videos which can be viewed on PCs as well, further expanding the range of people who can enjoy the service. Content providers can distribute i-motion content from servers and rather than use streaming (which scraps acquired data), i-motion accumulates data in cache memory. This enables users to upload videos with a URL and have friends download them from the Internet for viewing time after time. Bus location notification service The Marunouchi Shuttle is a free public bus service utilising GPS to enable passengers to confirm the location of the bus, and how long it will take for the bus to arrive at certain bus stations in real-time. The GPS-based location information solutions provided by the DoCoMo group can also be applied to other businesses such as delivery, security, and car rental services. It is expected to increase the level of service quality using efficient information transmission and service management, and expand business opportunities in this field. The service was launched in November, 2003. Mobile Society Research Institute In April, 2004 NTT DoCoMo announced the formation of the Mobile Society Research Institute, which will study the social impact of mobile phone use. DoCoMo believes that it is now important to analyze the influence and impact of mobile phones on society from a number of different perspectives. For a fascinating perspective on the future of mobile telephony, download this recent presentation of Docomo’s vision. There’s also a new 3G information service benn launched. Wireless industry expert Andrew M. Seybold has released a new monthly online and email publication for the third-generation wireless (3G) world in association with www.3GToday.com, an Internet information resource for 3G technology. Titled 3G Today, the e-newsletter covers trends and developments in 3G technology and deployments, present interviews with 3G operators and vendors, and continuously update readers on global 3G statistics. |