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Tag: NTT Docomo

  • Rakshit Kapoor to be Docomo Digital Country Head in India

    Rakshit Kapoor to be Docomo Digital Country Head in India

    MUMBAI: NTT Docomo, INC. has set up Docomo Digital as a new global business operation and Rakshit Kapoor will lead their India operations as the country head. This is an expansion from his previous role as country head for Buongiorno.

    Utilising the expertise from parent company NTT Docomo as well as from the acquisition of international mobile commerce providers and specialists, including net mobile AG and Buongiorno SpA, Docomo Digital has created a comprehensive suite of products and services.

    Docomo Digital includes the content business (mobile content products) and the m-commerce business. It is the operation unit of NTT Docomo and an advanced mobile commerce ecosystem-enabling platformer which aims to encourage financial inclusion for citizens worldwide by bringing together mobile network operators, digital and real-world merchants, financial services providers, regulators and other parties to make consumer transactions convenient, safe and with universal coverage.

    Docomo Digital has created the tools and infrastructure to provide seamless mobile commerce solutions for ecosystem participants across the world. The company actively addresses regulatory and commercial issues between parties and operates a global banking-grade technical platform on which mobile commerce ecosystems can be securely built and managed.

  • Rakshit Kapoor to be Docomo Digital Country Head in India

    Rakshit Kapoor to be Docomo Digital Country Head in India

    MUMBAI: NTT Docomo, INC. has set up Docomo Digital as a new global business operation and Rakshit Kapoor will lead their India operations as the country head. This is an expansion from his previous role as country head for Buongiorno.

    Utilising the expertise from parent company NTT Docomo as well as from the acquisition of international mobile commerce providers and specialists, including net mobile AG and Buongiorno SpA, Docomo Digital has created a comprehensive suite of products and services.

    Docomo Digital includes the content business (mobile content products) and the m-commerce business. It is the operation unit of NTT Docomo and an advanced mobile commerce ecosystem-enabling platformer which aims to encourage financial inclusion for citizens worldwide by bringing together mobile network operators, digital and real-world merchants, financial services providers, regulators and other parties to make consumer transactions convenient, safe and with universal coverage.

    Docomo Digital has created the tools and infrastructure to provide seamless mobile commerce solutions for ecosystem participants across the world. The company actively addresses regulatory and commercial issues between parties and operates a global banking-grade technical platform on which mobile commerce ecosystems can be securely built and managed.

  • NTT Docomo to exit from Tata Teleservices in face of losses

    NTT Docomo to exit from Tata Teleservices in face of losses

    NEW DELHI: Japan’s telecom network NTT Docomo has decided to sell its 26.5 per cent stake in the loss making Tata Teleservices.

     

    In its board meeting in Japan yesterday, NTT Docomo board took the decision to exit from TTSL following the poor performance of the Indian telecom operator.

     

    NTT Docomo had invested 266.7 billion yen ($2.61 billion) in Tata Teleservices – 252.3 billion yen in March 2009 and 14.4 billion yen in May 2011.

     

    Docomo is exiting from TTSL because it made a net loss of Rs 4,858 crore on revenues of Rs 10,859 crore in fiscal 2013. In FY 2012, TTSL posted net loss of Rs 4,228 crore on revenues of Rs 10,115 crore and Rs 3508 crore net loss on Rs 8,357 crore in FY 2011.

     

    In addition, TTSL’s net worth has fallen to Rs 1,863 crore in FY 2013 from Rs 2,996 crore in FY 2012 and Rs 5,941 crore in FY 2011. The company’s debt increased to Rs 23,491 crore in FY 2013 from Rs 19,299 crore in FY 2012 and Rs 17,651 crore in FY 2011.

     

    The Indian telecom sector appears set to see consolidation and TTSL will be one of the targets for telecoms such as Aircel, MTS India and Telenor etc.

     

    Under the agreement signed in March 2009 among Docomo, TTSL and Tata Docomo, Docomo holds the right to require that its TTSL shares be acquired for 50 per cent of the acquisition price, which amounts to 72.5 billion Indian rupees or a fair market price, whichever is higher, in the event that TTSL fails to achieve certain specified performance targets.

     

    If TTSL fails to achieve performance targets in fiscal 2014, Docomo can exercise the right in or before June 2014. Docomo on its website said it is uncertain how the option will be performed.

     

    It is also understood that the Tata group, which has around 59.45 per cent stake in TTSL, had been looking at an exit route from the telecom business.

     

    Reuters reported that the diversified Tata Group conglomerate would buy the stake. Singapore state investor Temasek and businessman C Sivasankaran also own small stakes in Tata Teleservices, a loss making telecom venture of Tatas.

     

    Tata Teleservices expanded into GSM-based mobile phone services after the deal with Docomo and amassed subscribers by offering a cheaper per-second billing plan, but it subsequently failed to build on its initial success and has lost market share in the past two years.

     

    It currently ranks seventh in terms of subscriber numbers among the 12 firms that operate in country’s fiercely competitive telecoms market.

     

    Analysts expect Docomo to report about 80 billion yen ($780 million) in related losses in the financial year ended on March 31.

     

    Interestingly, this coincides with UK telecom’s Vodafone increasing its stake in Vodafone India to 100 per cent. 

  • NSN takes NTT DOCOMO to a new level with location-based services

    NSN takes NTT DOCOMO to a new level with location-based services

    Nokia Solutions and Networks provides NTT DOCOMO, INC. with its Advanced Location System which supports Assisted Global Navigation Satellite System* (A-GLONASS) positioning technology, thus contributing to even greater convenience in location positioning.

     

    As the number of smartphone users continues to grow, demand for location-based services such as navigation, local information services and advertisements, concierge services and check-in applications is also on the rise. In urban areas with high-rise buildings, however, it is challenging to acquire enough visible GPS satellites needed for positioning. By adopting A-GLONASS positioning technology, the number of visible GPS satellites can be supplemented with GLONASS satellites, thus improving the positioning success rate.

     

    “Location-based services are clearly important to customers,” said Hiroshi Nakamura, Managing Director of Core Network Development Department at NTT DOCOMO. “We have adopted A-GLONASS positioning so that our customers can use location- based services whenever and wherever. In future, our customers will be able to enjoy location-based services even in places where buildings are packed closely together.”

     

    “Based on the longstanding collaboration between our two companies, NSN’s sound understanding of NTT DOCOMO’s location-based service requirements has enabled us to assist in its adoption of A-GLONASS positioning technology,” said Michael Clever, vice president, Voice and IP Transformation at NSN. “We built the A-GLONASS solution to address the increasing customer need for personalized high-accuracy positioning services, especially in densely inhabited locations. High-end positioning services also offer an opportunity for new revenue sources for operators.”

     

    To share your thoughts on the topic, join the discussion with @NSNtweets on Twitter using #mobilebroadband and #locationservices.

  • CBS, Avex expand on demand mobile video deal

    CBS, Avex expand on demand mobile video deal

    MUMBAI: CBS Studios International and Japan‘s Avex Entertainment have announced the expansion of their multi-year licensing agreement to include CBS programming on SoftBank Mobile‘s subscription video-on-demand service, Uula.

    The Uula service, a joint venture between Avex Entertainment and Softbank, will now include content for SoftBank‘s smartphone and tablet subscribers from CBS‘s extensive television library, including early seasons of current hits such as ‘NCIS‘, ‘NCIS: Los Angeles‘ and ‘90210‘ and full seasons of classic series such as ‘Star Trek‘, ‘Star Trek: Enterprise‘, ‘Medium‘ and ‘The 4400‘.

    The Uula service joins Avex‘s existing “dVideo” subscription on-demand service, available to customers of mobile carrier NTT Docomo.

    CBS Studios International executive VP Barry Chamberlain said, “We‘re excited to expand this content licensing agreement and provide UULA subscribers the flexibility to watch CBS programming on their mobile devices. The international digital space continues to provide more choice for viewers and additive revenue opportunities for content providers.”

  • Napster mobile launches ‘Over-The-Air’ music service in Japan

    Napster mobile launches ‘Over-The-Air’ music service in Japan

    MUMBAI: Napster , the digital music pioneer, has announced the launch of Napster Mobile on iMode, NTT DoCoMo’s mobile internet platform currently used by over 40 million of its over 52 million mobile subscribers across Japan.

    DoCoMo customers can use Napster Mobile to access full-length songs and ringtones that can be delivered Over-The-Air (OTA), directly to their mobile handsets including the N902iX, the SH903i, the F903i, the D903i and other soon to be released models in the 903i series for immediate listening and downloading, asserts an official release.

    Napster Mobile subscribers in Japan pay a monthly access fee of approximately $3 per month, and can acquire individual songs and ringtones for mobile delivery and download using a credit-based system. Subscribers receive 300 credits per month to procure individual songs and ringtones, and they can purchase additional credits at any time.

    Using a compatible DoCoMo handset gives Napster Japan’s Napster To Go portable subscription customers the power to transfer their favorite music from their PC directly to their mobile phone.

    Napster chairman and CEO Chris Gorog said, “With analysts projecting that mobile music will become a multi-billion dollar business in Japan over the next few years, we are very pleased and excited by Napster Japan’s deep partnership with DoCoMo, Japan’s number one wireless carrier. DoCoMo’s aggressive promotion of our offerings in Japan both the PC subscription service and the over-the-air mobile service will enable Napster to deliver on our commitment to helping music fans everywhere enjoy the best digital music experience possible.”

    iMode customers can subscribe to Napster Mobile for unlimited access to Napster Mobile’s music programming features, including personalized recommendations, featured artists and new releases, exclusive music and chart information, and to browse Napster Mobile’s vast catalog of full-length songs and ringtones, adds the release.

  • DoCoMo & Hutchison partner for i-mode deal

    DoCoMo & Hutchison partner for i-mode deal

    MUMBAI: Japan’s NTT DoCoMo, Inc. and Hutchison Telecom Hong Kong, have jointly announced a partnership to bring i-mode services to Hong Kong and Macau by the end of the year, thus, extending Hutchison Telecom’s outreach in Asia.

    The parties also agreed to launch an IC card technology service, often referred to as the wallet-phone in Japan, on i-mode enabled handsets.

    According to a release, DoCoMo will provide the technology and marketing expertise to the partnership, enabling Hutchison Telecom Hong Kong to offer i-mode services. Hutchison phone customers would be able to download credit onto their cell phones, swipe and use it whenever required. However, the financial details of the agreement were not disclosed.

    First introduced in 1999 by NTT DoCoMo, i-mode allows mobile phone users to access the Internet and provide for facilities such as emailing, web surfing, paying bills and shopping.

    Stating that the service will be available within a few months, Hutchison Telecom CEO Dennis Lui, added, “We are delighted by this partnership. In addition to providing cutting-edge services for our customers, it consolidates our position as Hong Kong’s most forward-looking mobile operator, as we continue to lead innovative developments in the mobile industry and seek to shape the communications market into the future.”

    NTT DoCoMo senior VP and MD of Multimedia Services, Takeshi Natsuno commented, “We are confident that this strategic partnership will bring multiple synergies for both companies as well as other member operators. We are also proud to announce our common strategy in bringing our wallet-phone experience from Japan to the region. This new partnership will certainly drive further expansion of i-mode in the global arena.”

    “With its proven business model and unique service platform, i-mode creates an open gateway for content providers. They will be able to immediately tap into the vast potential of one of the largest mobile customer bases in Hong Kong supported by one of the most advanced mobile networks in the world. We will work with content providers to spearhead the next generation of mobile Internet development in Hong Kong,” added Lui.

    In addition to DoCoMo in Japan, the signing of this agreement, will have licensed 16 i-mode operators in 24 countries around the world. Also, SMART Communications, Inc. is currently preparing to launch the service in the Philippines, adds the release.

  • Japan launches digital TV broadcasts for mobile phones

    Japan launches digital TV broadcasts for mobile phones

    MUMBAI: After South Korea, Japan has become the second Asian power to launch free-to-air digital TV for mobile phones through terrestrial digital broadcast system.

    Digital TV broadcasts for mobile phones equipped with special receivers began in Japan’s major urban areas on Saturday, following several months of test broadcasts.

    But the new service in Japan, which is free, will potentially reach the broadest market yet through the country’s terrestrial digital broadcast system, which relays images through the air via TV towers, not satellites.

    It also uses broadcasting air waves, rather than an Internet connection, to relay streaming video.

    Although South Korea has offered the service since the end of last year, Japan is a frontrunner in the new technology, popularly known as ‘One Seg,’ after ‘One Segment.’

    One Seg takes its name from the one frequency segment out of 13 allocated to terrestrial digital broadcasting that is reserved for mobile phones.

    Users with a TV tuner-equipped cell phones, car navigation systems and portable game players will be able to watch the broadcasts free of charge.

    If one considers how embedded mobiles are in Japanese life, the service has the potential to be the biggest of its kind in the world, by reaching more subscribers than in any other country.

    Handsets have been on the market in Japan for several weeks that are equipped with the service, which can also broadcast programmes onto laptop computers, high-end video-game machines and other terminals.

    Mobile operators have lined up agreements with television networks to develop the service. NTT DoCoMo has tied up with Nippon Television and Fuji Television. DoCoMo’s main rival, KDDI, has forged a partnership with TV Asahi.

    Kazunori Higuchi, a spokesman for NTT, describing how the service works, was quoted in Japan Times as saying: “A viewer is watching a drama and decides she likes the dress the lead actress is wearing. At the bottom of the screen is a link to an online shopping mall. She clicks on the link and buys the dress. Or maybe she just likes the show’s catchy theme song and downloads a ring tone of the opening bars.”

    One major drawback that may hold back the penetration of the service in Japan though, is that handsets with tuners are still scarce and expensive.

    Japan has 90 million mobile phone users who already play video games, download music files, exchange e-mail, read news, trade stocks, store digital photos and surf the Web.