Media, Entertainment and Gaming
ò Geneon Entertainment announced that it has secured an agreement with Universal Pictures Japan (UPJ) to distribute new titles from Universal on DVD. Under the agreement, Universal Pictures Japan will continue to distribute all Universal catalogue and television product on DVD. UPJ said it will also handle the manufacturing and marketing of all new releases and catalogue titles. According to the president of Universal Pictures International Entertainment, the agreement with Geneon is expected to boost and widen its distribution activities in the country.
Internet
ò Softbank revealed that it is in the final stage of negotiations with access service provider Nifty, and other firms on a plan to set up a joint company to apply for a license for next-generation high-speed wireless communications services. Industry sources also said there are other possible partners for the joint venture including broadband service provider eAccess and Internet access providers So-net Entertainment, NEC Biglobe and FreeBit. The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications of Japan is set to grant licenses for next-generation communication services under the WiMAX format, to only two entities. To boost competition, the ministry is requiring existing mobile phone carriers to apply for the license through joint ventures in which they are allowed to own a stake of up to one-third. Softbank and eAccess, both of which are already providing mobile phone services through their respective units, Softbank Mobile and EMobile, are seeking partners for the license application to meet the regulatory requirement. US investment bank Goldman Sachs Group and Temasek Holdings, an investment firm affiliated with the Singapore government, have been reported as participating in the joint firm to provide financial backing for the business.
ò Tokyo-based Mobikyo KK, publisher of the Wireless Watch Japan media site, and Infinita, Japan's mobile market research firm, announced the release of Japan Mobile Internet Report û Carriers, Handsets, Content and Services, a market report providing the latest insight and in-depth details on the countryÆs mobile Internet industry. The report, provides an in-depth analysis o the regulatory, technology and business factors that have contributed to the performance of Japan's mobile Internet and making it one of the most important in the world. The Japan Mobile Internet Report discusses in detail the reason why Japan's ecosystem has generated mobile revenues far better than the industry in other countries.
ò Internet Initiative Japan (IIJ), one of Japan's leading Internet access and network solutions providers, and Net Care, the IIJ Group company, announced the launching of the corporate hosting service, Net Care Virtual Platform Service f.a.s.t. The companies described the f.a.s.t hosting service as providing a dedicated virtual environment for each customer on a single physical server using virtualization software by USVMware. The virtual platform allows the customer to use Windows, Linux, or any other OS of their choice to roll out their own applications.
Mobile/Wireless
ò According to industry sources, IP Mobile is planning to return the license it obtained from the countryÆs communication ministry. The move follows what observers believe is the inability of the Tokyo-based telecommunications venture to launch new mobile broadband services in Japan. Sources ascribe the inability to funding problems, with the company seen as declaring bankruptcy or pursuing other legal means. In 2005, IP Mobile received a license by the Internal Affairs and Communications Ministry to launch mobile broadband services within two years from the receipt of the authorization.
ò NTT DoCoMo and KDDI announced that it is strongly considering a review of their respective sales incentives. The two mobile carriers indicated that they will allow their customers a choice between two options: conventional pricing plans linked to inexpensive handsets or lower monthly service fees for higher-priced handsets. The offerings are predicted to take place in December. Earlier this September, a group convened by the Internal Affairs and Communications Ministry have recommended that cell phone operators review the subsidy-based pricing practice and make a new fee plan that is separate from handset prices in fiscal 2008. Softbank Mobile, another leading cell phone operator, disclosed that it is not looking to adopt a new pricing plan.
ò According to industry sources, Japanese mobile provider Willcom has plans to enter into an alliance with China Network Communications Group in a bid to expand its low-cost phone business into China. The alliance is expected to focus on the personal handy system, a type of simple mobile telephone that costs less than more advanced technologies and is also popular in a number of other Asian nations.
Software
ò SugarCRM, a provider of commercial open source customer relationship management (CRM) software, announced that Softbank Technology has signed an agreement to distribute Sugar solutions in Japan. Under the agreement, the new partnership will service a broad range of customer needs by offering ASP services utilizing Sugar. Softbank Technology provides a wide range of solutions including comprehensive support for e-business operations and also solutions for the design, construction, operation and maintenance of various types of networks and systems. Earlier in January 2007, SugarCRM announced its strategic partnership with CareBrains, the Japan-based provider of open source software application consulting, training, implementation and support.
Semiconductors
ò AuthenTec, the world's leading provider of fingerprint sensors and solutions, and Marubun Corporation, one of the oldest and largest semiconductor distributors in Japan, announced their entering into a deal that will allow Marubun to represent AuthenTec in Japan. AuthenTec has shipped more than 7 million fingerprint sensors for integration into cell phones and over 12 million sensors for PC security applications. Through this distribution agreement, Marubun will offer products within AuthenTec's silicon-based fingerprint sensor portfolio. With more than 20 million sensors in use worldwide, AuthenTec is the world leader in providing fingerprint authentication sensors and solutions to the high-volume PC, wireless device, and access control markets. AuthenTec's clients include Acer, ASUSTeK, Fujitsu, HP, Hitachi, HTC, Lenovo, LG Electronics, Samsung, and Toshiba. Marubun sells domestic and foreign electronics products such as semiconductors, primarily integrated circuits, and electronic application devices. Marubun handles products from companies including Texas Instruments, NXP, Seiko Epson, and Freescale.
Ventures/Investments
ò Yamada Denki, the countryÆs largest consumer electronics chain, announced its acquisition of a 94.2% equity stake in Tokyo-based discount retailer Kimuraya Select. Under the agreement, Yamada Denki will purchase 73,433 Kimuraya shares from Asset Managers. The acquisition followed the announcement of capital and business alliance between Bic Camera Co. and Best Denki Co. last week and speculations that Bic Camera and Yamada Denki might get into a bidding war for Best Denki, the nation's seventh-largest electronics chain, and news that Yamada is considering raising its stake in Best Denki to 20% from 6%.
Telecommunications
ò Chinese telecom equipment manufacturer Huawei announced the signing of an HSDPA expansion contract with eMobile, a Japanese network operator. The agreement followed the setting up of eMobile's HSDPA network. Under the contract, Huawei will provide advanced HSPA technology and will bring the network to Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya and their surrounding areas. The agreement will see Huawei deploying more than 2300 distribution Node-B base station to make eMobile's network for Tokyo's subway and commercial areas. In a separate development, Huawei reported having secured another UMTS/HSPA contract from PTK Centertel, an affiliate of France Telecom's Orange in Poland. Under the deal, Huawei will undertake 50% of the UMTS/HSPA project, with Huawei deploying thousands of HSPA distribution base stations for PTK Centertel in major cities in Poland in the coming three years.
ò NEC Corporation announced that it has licensed its Canadian and U.S. digital microwave radio (DMR) patents and counterpart patents in other countries to DragonWave , the Canadian provider of high-capacity wireless Ethernet equipment used in emerging IP networks. With the patent license agreement, NEC and DragonWave also agreed not to assert their respective DMR patents against each other in the future. The licensing agreement gives DragonWave access to a wider pool of intellectual property as it extends its high capacity wireless ethernet portfolio. NEC has already licensed its patents to several manufacturers in North America.
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