Media, Entertainment and Gaming
Streaming21, a provider of broadcast-quality streaming solutions, and Cool.revo, an IPTV system integrator in Japan, have entered into a new system integration partnership to develop and market end-to-end IPTV and video-on-demand (VoD) solutions for providers of telecom, broadband and content services as well as hotel operators in Japan. The solutions will include streaming server, set-top box (STB), DRM, middleware and networking. Streaming21 provides interactive IPTV and digital home solutions over fixed-mobile-convergence (FMC) and open networks.
Internet
Skype Technologies has entered into a partnership with Excite Japan Co., an Internet portal operator, to offer co-branding software for personal computer-based phone calls. Under the agreement, registered users worldwide will be able to make free phone calls via their PCs by downloading software free of charge. The deal will also allow users to make calls to fixed-line and cellular phones at flat-rate charges. Skype said it has selected Excite Japan as the partner after its contract with Livedoor Co. has been terminated. With Excite Japan having 24 million users, Skype said it aims to increase its users in the country to 10 million from the more than 5 million at present.
Mobile/Wireless
NTT DoCoMo Inc has been asked to let Japan Communications Inc set mobile phone rates following a decision by the settlement panel of the communications ministry to allow the newcomer the use of NTT DoCoMo's cellphone network. The ruling is seen as encouraging more firms to enter the mobile phone business, stimulating competition and expanding the variety of services available. Japan Communications is the nation's first mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) offering wireless data communications services using Willcom Inc's personal handy-phone system (PHS) network. Earlier, the company said it is looking to work with NTT DoCoMo's network in order to expand its business.
Willcom, one of the largest Little Smart service operators in Japan, announced that it will work with China Netcom, a Chinese communications operator, on promoting the Personal Handset System (PHS) within China. Willcom said it has already signed an agreement that will enable the two companies to cooperate on research and technology of services. The agreement includes the introduction of data communications services in the Chinese market. Under the alliance, Willcom will provide technology support to China Netcom's Little Smart online data communications service and may also cooperate with China Netcom on the new generation of PHS. Originally from Japan, PHS is widely used in China and has up to 100 million users in the country.
Telecommunications
According to media sources, Sri LankaÆs Supreme Court has advised Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corp to invite transparent bids if it is to go through with its plan to dispose of two-thirds of its 35.2% stake in Sri Lanka Telecom. According to a separate report, NTT was aiming to sell a 25.3% stake in SLT to Malaysia's Usha Tegas Group. This deal was stopped after a public interest case was filed, which alleged that NTT had arbitrarily handpicked the Malaysian buyer without issuing an invite for open bids.
Ventures/Investments
Sanyo Electric plans to undertake a major investment in its battery business. The decision is part of the companyÆs new business plan and will be made over three years from April 2008. Sanyo said it will spend Ñ100 billion to boost production. Sanyo remains the worldÆs top maker of lithium-ion batteries used in notebook computers and mobile phones.
Aeon Co, a major supermarket chain, plans to introduce electronic gift certificates at all of its outlets in Japan The company said it plans to make electronic gift cards available at about 23,000 outlets across Japan and has set a target to issue some 2.5 million cards in the first year. Aeon becomes the first company in Japan to offer the said type cards that can be used to buy different kinds of goods. The magnetic cards will be available in denominations of Ñ1,000 ($9.2) and will be worth up to Ñ100,000 yen each. The cards will come in 14 colors and be sold with special cases so that they can be used on ceremonial occasions, which is close to the Japanese tradition of gift-giving.
Information Technology
Aiphone Co. said it has developed a system to provide condominium residents with emergency earthquake information through intercoms. The system, which it aims to sell, installs a machine in a building that receives information from meteorological authorities on a possible quake via the Internet. The device then immediately calculates when and where it is likely to hit the site as well as its expected intensity. The machine is designed to inform residents in the building of calculated data through intercoms. It can also automatically bring elevators to the nearest floor to so that people will not be trapped in case of an earthquake.
¬ Haymarket Media Limited. All rights reserved.
