NTT DoCoMo: Miscellaneous Services

Miscellaneous Services

NTT DoCoMo services are no longer restricted to the mobile domain but are now expanding widely into all of the fields where mobile IT technology is applicable.

Mzone

Mzone is a public wireless LAN service provided by NTT DoCoMo. It features compatibility with the three Wi-Fi standards, IEEE802.11a/b/g. Mzone provides roaming services for major Japanese wireless LAN throughout Japan and also permits wireless LAN operations outside Japan, including on board some aircraft.

Videophone: Visual Communications

Videophone, which is one of the most exciting features of 3G mobile phones is available with almost all of the FOMA models. Communications are not only possible between FOMA mobile phones but are also possible with any videophone-compatible 3G mobile phone, even those used outside of Japan.

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Videophone
Making international videophone call

Telematics

In 2002, NTT DoCoMo and Nissan began to conduct experiments in automotive telematics aimed at enhancing driving convenience and safety levels within this field, NTT DoCoMo aims to develop services providing drivers with traffic, weather and tourism information.

Additionaly, the "Okutto-keitai" service enables users to receive i-mode digital maps and restaurant information which corresponds to the area where the user's car is located or destined. The information is sent from car navigation centers to the user's mobile phone. Users may thus access such information from their phones when away from the vehicle. This is just one of the innovative steps that support the convergence of mobile phones and car navigation systems.

Mobiler's Check

"Mobiler's Check" is a prepaid card that supports payment of part of the following month's phone bill, in advance. Subscribers can apply the card to any NTT DoCoMo's mobile service, including i-mode and WORLD CALL. They may also use the card to pay for only certain types of charges (basic monthly service, dialing, data transmission, etc.) or for calls to specific numbers — an advantage for companies permitting use of the same terminal for business and personal calls. DoCoMo shops and service counters sell these cards.

Pre-call

The NTT DoCoMo "Pre-Call" is an easy-to-use prepaid calling service for cellular phone users. Immediate activation is obtained when a subscriber with a compatible mobile terminal and an active Pre-Call card calls the card center and registers the card.

Satellite and Maritime Mobile Communications Services

The first Japanese satellite/ terrestrial mobile communication system, the "WideStar" network was created by NTT DoCoMo. It employs two "N-STAR" geostationary satellites and provides 100 percent nationwide coverage and also extends 200 nautical miles beyond Japan's borders. The 64kbps receiving, 4.8kbps sending packet data transmission (available on some terminals) improves communication with mountainous areas and remote islands without a special license. The same N-STAR communications satellite is used to provide maritime telephone services as well.

PushTalk

The PushTalk service on the FOMA packet-communications network allows phones to be used like walkie-talkies for simultaneous, one-way communication from one user to as many as four other users. (When using the PushTalk plus service, up to 20 people can participate in a single call.)