The imode specification addresses these issues by using the best of existing standards and developing new extensions when needed. The imode solution leverages the tremendous investment in web servers, web development tools, web programmers and web applications while solving the unique problems associated with the wireless domain. The specification ensures that this solution is fast, reliable and secure. The imode specification is developed and supported by the wireless telecommunication community so that the entire industry and its subscribers can benefit from a single, open specification.
NTT DoCoMo: The Creators of imode
NTT DoCoMo is a subsidiary of Japan s incumbent telephone operator NTT. The majority of NTT-DoCoMo s shares are owned by NTT, and the majority of NTT s shares are owned by the Japanese government. NTT-DoCoMo s shares are separately listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange and on the Osaka Stock Exchange, and NTT-DoCoMo s market value (capitalization) makes it one of the world s most valued companies.
Goals of the imode.
The goals of the imode forum are listed as follows. >>To bring Internet content and advanced data services to wireless phones and other wireless terminals.
>>To develop a global wireless protocol specification that works across all wireless network technologies.
>>To enable the creation of content and applications that scale across a wide range of wireless bearer networks and device types, i.e. to maintain device and bearer independence.
>>To embrace and extend existing standards and technology whenever possible and appropriate.
- i-Mode paid content in Japan alone is worth about US$ 1 Billion/year, and overall m-commerce and m-transactions in Japan are estimated to be US$ 10 billion or more per year in 2005.
- i-Mode is big new business: 45 million paying subscribers (as of July 2004) and more than 3000 participating companies in Japan, France, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, Greece, Italy, Spain, Australia!
- i-Mode means m-Commerce: selling always and everywhere, a totally new and very flexible way of interactive advertising and customer relations management and brand management, transactions, business, games and fun!
- For several years we build and support i-Mode businesses and the entry into the i-Mode world.
i-mode is a new and completely different service that offers you more than ever before on your phone. And it's important you know how to make the most of this new world. To help you find your way round i-mode, subscribe to i-mode sites and send messages from i-mode, in this section there are a number of detailed "How do I..." question and answer scenarios available covering some of the most important elements of the i-mode service.
i-Mode is a mobile internet business system with 45 million users and more than 3000 participating companies performing a great variety of mobile business transactions, from email, booking rail and air-tickets to games; i-mode was introduced by NTT-DoCoMo, and includes both a proprietary "walled-garden"-type official menu, mainly used for selling content and games and providing information services, as well as a completely open free access to the internet. In Japan i-Mode relies of DoCoMo 2G and 3G packet switched DoPa data networks, and i-Mode is also used on the networks of many other countries including Germany, France, Netherlands, Belgium, Italy, Spain, Australia, and other countries. Business transactions over i-mode are many billion dollards per year, and i-Mode has become an important part of JapanÕs social and commercial infrastructure. i-Mode and competing systems have been completely integrated into the daily life of most Japanese people.
