Tokyo, June 29th, 2005 --- NEC has started to offer its
Multimedia Message Adaptation System (MMAS) for Japanese market.
The Multimedia Content Adaptation Solution is a server software
system that optimizes video, photo and other data for various types
of services and terminals, and also is fully customized solution
for each service operator. Besides overcoming barriers and
difficulties between different mobile telecommunications providers
and different terminals, it facilitates the 2G to 3G transition,
enabling free use of video, image, and music as well as voice and
text data.
Multimedia content distribution, together with the Multimedia
Messaging (MMS) service launched in 2002, are vital elements in the
business strategies of European and Asian mobile operators, who are
looking for ways to increase their average revenue per user (ARPU,
i.e., per user sales). Multimedia services will, while stimulating
new user demand, also trigger new mobile terminal sales. While, the
prospects for expansion of multimedia services are good, the
proliferation of services and introduction of new,
higher-performance terminals have, in a growing number of cases,
resulted in the inability and difficulties of different services
and terminals to share multimedia content.
With the introduction of NEC's Multimedia Content Adaptation
Solution, 2G terminal users can enjoy the use of a fuller range of
2G and 3G services without having to purchase new terminals. At the
same time, 3G service users will be able to participate fully in 2G
user communities. From the mobile operator's perspective, packet
transmission volume will increase and 2G users stimulated to
upgrade to higher-added-value 3G services. In addition, it will
facilitate exchanges between providers; for example, service
providers in Japan will now be able to do business with other
providers overseas.
NEC started to offer MMAS to outside Japan and this time, MMAS has
been functionally enhanced to adapt to the variety of terminals in
Japanese market.
The MMAS has rich profiling database of more than 500 varieties of
terminals used in Japan. Thus, MMAS can be flexibly optimized in
accordance with the market status.
NEC has received an order for the fully customized MMAS from
Vodafone K.K. Vodafone K.K is to employ NEC's MMAS for the newly
enhanced "Automatic Image Conversion service (*)" scheduled to
start from June 30th, 2005. (*) The newly enhanced functions let
Vodafone K.K. customers freely enjoy Sha-mail and other
file-attached mails sent not only from mobile terminals of other
operators but also from PCs without any mobile terminal type
restrictions.
As the telecommunications world transitions from 2G to 3G, NEC
looks forward to further fleshing out its mobile Internet
application line-up and actively developing new mobile Internet
platform businesses targeting mobile telecommunications providers
aiming to increase profitability and improve customer satisfaction,
by offering attractive mobile Internet services.
About NEC's mobile application business
NEC is a total mobile solutions provider capable of providing
everything from cellular handsets to infrastructure to mobile
applications. NEC has been actively expanding its sales in mobile
applications, infrastructure and handsets, not only inside Japan,
but also on overseas markets. The firm has a track record of
delivering platforms for implementing mobile internet services such
as i-MODE/WAP2.0, along with location information systems, contents
conversion software, mail servers, and the like. NEC's mobile
applications are value-added applications by which, using cell
phones, persons anywhere can easily get the information they want
and freely participate in their favorite communities and thus live
more fulfilling lives. The fundamental concepts behind the
applications are "personalize," "community" and "security." In the
last couple of years, because of the penetration of camera-equipped
cell phones and the introduction of ring tone services for call
sender, the keywords "personal" and "community" have assumed
greater importance. On the other hand, when introduction of 3G
infrastructure and IMS gets going, the changeover to all-IP and
broadband multimedia data communications will move into high gear.
The predictions are, as a result, that packet-based voice services
-- such as VoIP service and PoC (Push to Talk Over Cellular) --
will expand and the integration of voice and data services will
accelerate along with the introduction image distribution services
of such things as cartoons or movies.
On the foundation of its Mobile Internet Platform, NEC will
aggressively expand sales efforts in its primary products of (i)
"Ring back melodies," in which phone call recipients let call
senders hear their favorite music or messages, (ii) "Location
information system," a platform for providing various services
based on participant location and (iii) "3G/2.5G Mobile Visual
Solution" to provide such multimedia data as cartoons, together
with its other application software offerings.
Last year, NEC has supplied its first MMAS customized for
Telefónica Móviles in Spain.
About NEC Corporation
NEC Corporation (NASDAQ: NIPNY) (FTSE: 6701q.l) is one of the
world's leading providers of Internet, broadband network and
enterprise business solutions dedicated to meeting the specialized
needs of its diverse and global base of customers. Ranked as one of
the world's top patent-producing companies, NEC delivers tailored
solutions in the key fields of computer, networking and electron
devices, by integrating its technical strengths in IT and Networks,
and by providing advanced semiconductor solutions through NEC
Electronics Corporation. The NEC Group employs more than 140,000
people worldwide and had net sales of 4,855 billion yen (approx.
$45 billion) in the fiscal year ended March 2005. For additional
information, please visit the NEC home page at:http://www.nec.com/.
* Sha-mail is a registered trademark of Vodafone K.K.
Media Contact:
Akiko Shikimori,
NEC Corporation
Tel: +81337986511
a-shikimori@ay.jp.nec.com