Friday, 25 August 2006

Linux Powers DoCoMo's First 3.5G Phones

Linux is gaining groung in the mobile industry as Japan's mobile operator is set to power a 3.5G network next week, and launch a Linux-based phone capable of using it. High-Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) is based on the same WCDMA technology used in DoCoMo's currently available 3G networks, Freedom of Mobile Access (FOMA). However, HSDPA offers peak download speeds approximately ten times greater than the 384Kbit/s rates offered by FOMA.

DoCoMo's HSDPA service will launch on August 31, with initial coverage limited to Tokyo. Other major Japanese cities will be brought online by October, and 90 percent of DoCoMo subscribers will have access to the service before 2008.

In the meanwhile, where HSDPA service is not yet available, the N902iX mobile phone can fall back to FOMA, DoCoMo says. The phone operates on licensed 2GHz and 800MHz frequency bands. It additionally supports 1.7GHz, and can use DoCoMo's 'WORLD WING' W-CDMA international roaming service, said to be available in 33 countries/regions.

Other network services supported by the N902iX include:

• A photographic search feature said to allow users to take pictures of CD covers, wine labels, images from catalogs, and other items, and then be directed to online retailers offering the same or similar items
• 'mopera ANSHIN manager' enables corporate administrators to lock phones and delete/backup phonebooks remotely
• 'Chaku-moji' service allows a 10-character message to be displayed on the receiver's screen as the phone rings
• Integrates with DoCoMo's DCMX credit card system, and Osaifu-Keitai e-wallet services, "including mobile-phone credit cards, e-money, e-ticketing, and membership programs," DoCoMo says
• Integrates with the ToruCa electronic payment system, which can be used to buy train tickets or purchase restaurant meals, using touchless point-of-sale terminals
• Includes high-speed real-time traffic, weather, and news services
• Also supports iMode's iChannel "push" services, such as news, weather, and daily fortunes