1. Presented by: Jennifer Milosch

2. What is iMode? The name of a wireless internet service for cell phones Created in Japan by NTT DoCoMo in February ‘99 iMode is more successful than other wireless technologies because of its low costs and quick and reliable internet access At first only available in Japan, now also in Europe Not available in the US at this time

3. What is NTT DoCoMo? The largest mobile communications company in Japan Started making mobile phones in 1993 Created W-CDMA technology In 2000, changed the corporate name to NTT DoCoMo and prepared for the release of the iMode phones President and CEO Masao Nakamura

4. iMode Users Summer 2004: 42 million users in Japan, and 4 million elsewhere Approximately 1/3 of Japanese have an iMode phone Popular among all ages and genders, but slightly more above 40 years old

5. What’s So Special About It? “Smart” handset –100 MHz processor –Color display with a graphical user interface (GUI) –Users can browse the web by pressing a button

6. What’s So Special About It? New transmission protocol: –iMode uses the CDMA protocol –This transmits at 9.6K bps, slower than a normal modem, but faster than other types of wireless connections for phones –The speed allows for emails limited to 250 characters and simple graphics

7. What’s So Special About It? New markup language: –iMode uses C-HTML (Compact HTML) as its markup language, instead of WAP –C-HTML is a special markup language to display web pages on the smaller display screen of a cell phone –C-HTML websites can be viewed on PCs

8. Packet Switching iMode uses packet switching technology to transmit data –Data is broken apart into individual parts –Smaller packets are sent over many different switches –The data is reassembled at its destination Efficient for networks with heavy traffic, such as the internet The connection is not kept continuously open

9. iMode Functions News, weather and traffic Stock prices Email: Text and pictures Online shopping and banking –160+ financial institutions have iMode pages Games http://www.imo de.net.tw/inde x.asp

10. Well It Must Cost a Fortune! iMode service is only $2.70 per month plus.26 cents per packet Downloads purchased at $.85- $2.00 per month DoCoMo receives commissions from its first tier providers

11. DoCoMo’s Business Strategy Keep costs low Investment in R&D Heavy investing abroad Buys 15-20% stakes in companies which use DoCoMo technology –Hutchison Whampoa, Dutch KPN Mobile, AT&T Wireless, etc.

12. Mobile Options Many mobile providers have iMode compatible phones NEC’s N502i Panasonic’s P502i Sharp’s SH821i Sony’s SO502i

13. Comparison of iMode Phones Model Overall Rating (1-5)WeightSizeScreen Maximum Text Color or b/w Battery wait(hrs)/ talk(min)E/jAdditions n502i-g85NA98x48x2210x10100/210256cNAyesiboard d209i474124x41x187x856256c40/120yesiboard f209i463125x40x157x856256c450/135yes n209i38690x46x197x856/1044gs500/130yesiboard p209i360123x39x156x8484gs350/135yesiboard p209isNA84NA7x8NA256cNAyesiboard r209iNA65NA 4gsNAyes d502i384132x43x207x856256c350/130no f502i/it371125x40x197x856256c340/130noit:car n502i49893x48x2210x10100/2104gs420/120noiboard nm502i377111x44x186x848b/w270/130yesirda p502i369130x43x169x8804gs300/125noiboard, car so502i373122x42x177x856/1204gs210/120no n821i410593x48x2410x10100/2104gs380/120nophs sh821i476126x39x207x856256c270/110nophs

14. iMode’s Competition: WAP WAP (Wireless Application Protocol) uses WML and existing websites More advanced than the iMode technology WAP is the similar technology in the US Many hope the two will merge http://www.imperium.co.uk/wapdesign.ht mlhttp://www.imperium.co.uk/wapdesign.ht ml 9110 Communicator Nokia 7110

15. Why is iMode better than WAP? WAP handsets usually only black and white WAP only supports text, not graphics iMode is much faster and easier to use iMode is simpler, and the C-HTML language is better understood WAP users must use dial-up

16. 3G: The Future of iMode Launched in October 2001 Starting speeds of 64 bps Able to support videos, Mp3s, videophone, and videomail Uses W-CDMA Able to hold larger files New lithium-ion batteries

17. The Newest iMode Technology F901iCP700iN700i http://www.nttdocomo.co m/companyinfo/services. html More New Products

18. Coming Soon… Pay by credit Mobile wallet –Using e-money –Quick check-in –Movie tickets, etc. Barcode Reading Delivery of location

19. References http://www.nttdocomo.com/companyinfo/ser vices.htmlhttp://www.nttdocomo.com/companyinfo/ser vices.html http://www.nttdocomo.com/companyinfo/ind ex.htmlhttp://www.nttdocomo.com/companyinfo/ind ex.html http://www.palowireless.com/imode/backgro und.asp#Financialshttp://www.palowireless.com/imode/backgro und.asp#Financials http://www.imode.net.tw/service.asp http://www.fujii.org/biz/csom/imode.html http://www.nttdocomo.com/corebiz/icw/index.htmlhttp://www.nttdocomo.com/corebiz/icw/index.html

20. References, Cont. http://www.japon.net/imode/imodehard.shtm lhttp://www.japon.net/imode/imodehard.shtm l http://www.voip.mn/packet-switching.html http://www.cs.panam.edu/~meng/Course/C S6345/Notes/chpt-2/node13.htmlhttp://www.cs.panam.edu/~meng/Course/C S6345/Notes/chpt-2/node13.html Article: WAP vs. iMode Article: Speedy Cell-Phone Article: Language Barrier Full Citations available with paper