Internet
ò NTT Communications (NTT Com) announced that it has entered into an agreement with Videsh Sanchar Nigam Limited (VSNL), a leading Indian telecom and internet service provider. The agreement will allow NTT Com clients traveling in India to use the Tata Indicom Wi-Fi network of wireless broadband access points for international roaming. With the agreement, the roaming service does not require any additional subscription or startup fee. Currently, NTT Com also has international roaming arrangements with KT (South Korea), Maxis (Malaysia), StarHub (Singapore), British Telecom (UK), Telecom Italia (Italy), Telestra (Australia) and the T-Mobile Group (USA, Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, Netherlands and UK). The companies are all members of the Wireless Broadband Alliance (WBA), an industry alliance encompassing telecom operators, equipment makers and service providers in Asia-Pacific, the Americas and Europe. NTT Com is a co-founder of the WBA and currently the only Japanese member.
ò NTT Corp. said it will launch a web site leasing service for companies that will allow them to use the site for videos and other promotional material. The service is expected to enable small or midsize companies lacking the knowledge to create their own web sites to upload videos related to their products on a leased cyberspace.
Mobile/Wireless
ò Comel Co., a fully owned subsidiary of Softbank Telecom Corp., and Vanten K.K. announced that they have developed what they claim to be JapanÆs first wireless digital signage system. The new system supports 3G mobile communications technology called High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) and allows content such as advertisements and information to be shown via the Internet on displays set up at commercial facilities, railway stations, airports and bus terminals. Comel and Vanten are companies into digital signage. Softbank Telecom is affiliated with Softbank Corp.
Semiconductors
ò Sanyo Electric disclosed that it has changed its mind about selling its semiconductor subsidiary. Sanyo said the decision was made after the talks with Advantage Partners LLP fell through. Industry sources said Advantage Partners failed to raise sufficient funds to buy Sanyo Semiconductor Co. Earlier, Sanyo granted Advantage Partners priority negotiating rights on the sale as the fund proposed the highest acquisition price in bidding held late August, and had been negotiating a deal since then. According to industry analysts, the decision of Sanyo not to sell Sanyo Semiconductor is likely to force Sanyo to review the current restructuring plan, which calls on the company to sell loss-making operations like manufacturing of chips and mobile phones.
Ventures/Investments
ò Sony Corp announced that it has agreed to sell its production facilities for the computer chip of its PlayStation 3 game console to rival Toshiba Corp. The deal is estimated to be worth more than US$1 billion. Analysts see this move of Sony as part of its efforts to concentrate more on its core electronics business. Sources said the Sony and Toshiba are forging a joint venture to produce high-performance semiconductors.
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