Tweet

DOCOMO, KDDI and SOFTBANK Establish Consortium to Promote
NFC Services Compatible with Multiple International Standards

Partnerships

TOKYO, JAPAN, December 21, 2011 --- NTT DOCOMO, INC., KDDI CORPORATION and SOFTBANK MOBILE Corp. announced today their establishment of Japan Mobile NFC Consortium to coordinate the adoption of multiple international standards for near field communication (NFC) technologies incorporated in their mobile devices and services.

Japan’s three mobile operators already offer Osaifu- Keitai™ (wallet phone) mobile services based on the contactless-IC smartcard called FeliCa^®. Overseas, however, mobile operators and service providers are increasingly adopting Type A and Type B standards to develop growing markets for NFC services. In view of this worldwide trend, the consortium intends to work with mobile industry groups in Japan, including service suppliers and handset manufacturers, to incorporate compatibility with the Type A and B standards in the Japanese mobile ecosystem.

By ensuring compatibility with multiple NFC standards, the consortium aims to:

Free mobile users in Japan, both residents and international travelers, from having to concern themselves about different NFC service standards. Create an environment in Japan where service providers can offer efficient, low-cost NFC services based on common standards and rules adopted by the three mobile operators.

About NTT DOCOMO NTT DOCOMO is a world-leading mobile operator that is in transition into an integrated service company placing mobility at the core. The company serves over 59 million customers in Japan via advanced wireless networks, including a nationwide 3G network and one of the world’s first commercial LTE networks. Leveraging its unique capabilities as a mobile operator, DOCOMO is a leading developer of cutting-edge technologies for NFC mobile payments, mobile GPS, mobile TV, intuitive mobile assistance, environmental monitoring, smart grids and much more. Overseas, the company provides technical and operational expertise to eight mobile operators and other partner companies. NTT DOCOMO is listed on the Tokyo (9437), London (NDCM) and New York (DCM) stock exchanges. Please visit www.nttdocomo.com for more information.

About KDDI CORPORTATION KDDI, as a comprehensive communications company offering both fixed-line and mobile communications services, strives to be a leading company during changing times.
For individual customers, KDDI offers its mobile communications (au mobile phone) and fixed-line communications (broadband Internet/telephone) services under the brand name “au”, helping to realize FMBC (Fixed Mobile and Broadcasting Convergence). And for business clients, KDDI provides all services in the ICT (Information and Communication Technology) realm, from FMC (Fixed Mobile Convergence) networks to data centers, applications, and security strategies, to help clients strengthen their businesses.

About SOFTBANK MOBILE Corp. To be the most preferred mobile service under the corporate philosophy of “Information Revolution - Happiness for everyone”, SOFTBANK MOBILE implements a variety of measures such as network enhancement, handset enhancement, mobile content enhancement and sales structure and branding enhancement.
SOFTBANK MOBILE is playing a central role in leading the SOFTBANK Group toward becoming the No.1 mobile internet company.

Osaifu-Keitai is a trademark or registered trademark of NTT DOCOMO, INC. in Japan and other countries.
FeliCa is a contactless IC chip technology developed by Sony Corporation.
FeliCa is a registered trademark of Sony Corporation.
NFC is an internationally accredited standard that is upper compatible with Type A, Type B and FeliCa.