THE HAGUE, The Netherlands-KPN Mobile began tests of i-mode-like services with a small group of users on Dec. 20. The carrier said it will commercially launch the service in the second quarter of 2002.
NEC will supply the first i-mode handsets to KPN users. The handsets include large screens, color displays and improved sound quality of ring tones. Users can send and receive e-mails containing up to 1,000 characters and short message services messages of up to 160 characters. KPN said the launch follows the technical coordination of its GPRS network and new i-mode handsets.
Agreements have been reached with numerous national and international content providers, said KPN. The carrier has agreements with more than 100 parties and expects around 60-certified sites will be available at launch. NTT DoCoMo’s i-mode service in Japan has hundreds of certified sites, and even more sites offer i-mode content, although they are not certified by the carrier. Non-certified providers will also offer services in the Netherlands, KPN said.
The European i-mode service will be available under the same name as in Japan and with a corresponding logo. Following the limited user tests this year, several hundred customers will be invited to trial the service early next year before commercial launch.
NTT DoCoMo holds a 15-percent stake in KPN Mobile, and its launch of i-mode services was expected earlier this year. However, KPN’s financial troubles have pushed back its launch date.
Swedish wireless carrier Telia Mobile also has announced it would offer a wireless Internet service much like NTT DoCoMo’s i-mode service, particularly in terms of billing and content. Telia’s service, dubbed PocketMode, features an open interface for content providers, allowing them to offer their services directly to users instead of forming business deals with the carrier. Telia also said PocketMode bills through mobile-phone invoices and even prepaid cards.
In other news, Yamaha Corp. said it will provide a 16-note polyphonic cellular ringing tone download service KPN to coincide with its launch of i-mode wireless Internet service in the Netherlands and Belgium next spring.
Yamaha offers more than 6,000 songs to approximately 3 million subscribers in Japan.
