I-mode
Japanese mobile internet service operated by NTT Docomo.
i-mode was a Japanese mobile internet service operated by NTT Docomo, distinct from wireless internet and from Wireless Application Protocols. It encompassed web access, email, and a packet-switched network, offering services such as sports results, weather forecasts, games, financial services, and ticket booking. Content was provided by specialised services, typically from the mobile carrier, allowing tighter control over billing.
Quick Facts
- Developer
- NTT Docomo
- Released
- 22 February 1999
- Operating system
- See § Devices
- Engine
- HTTP, TCP, UDP, C-HTML
- Genre
- Mobile web
Facts from the source article.
Description
Unlike WAP, which used Wireless Markup Language, i-mode used DoCoMo proprietary protocols ALP (HTTP) and TLP (TCP, UDP) and fixed Internet data formats such as C-HTML, a subset of HTML designed by DoCoMo for small devices with hardware restrictions. C-HTML did not support tables, image maps, multiple fonts, styling, background colors, images, frames, or style sheets, and was limited to monochromatic display. i-mode phones had a special i-mode button for accessing the start menu. NTT DoCoMo supervised the content and operations of all official i-mode sites, most of which were commercial; these were accessed through DoCoMo's i-mode menu or by typing the URL or using a QR code. Discount plans existed, including flat packet plans for unlimited data at a fixed monthly charge of about ¥4,000.
History
i-mode was launched in Japan on 22 February 1999. The content planning and service design team was led by Mari Matsunaga, while Takeshi Natsuno handled business development; top executive Keiichi Enoki oversaw technical and overall development. Shortly after, competitors KDDI launched EZweb and J-Phone launched J-Sky. Bandai launched the Dokodemo Aso Vegas service in May 1999, reaching over 1 million paid subscribers by March 2000. Namco launched Namco Station in December 1999. Since 2003, the i-mode center was called CiRCUS, consisting of 400 NEC NX7000 HP-UX servers occupying 4,600 m2 in DoCoMo's Kawasaki office; the operation support system was called CARNiVAL, hosted in the Sanno Park Tower. In June 2006, i-mode, EZweb, and J-Sky had over 80 million subscribers in Japan. i-mode usage in Japan peaked around 2008. On 29 October 2019, DoCoMo announced i-mode would end on 31 March 2026, after which it was discontinued.
Markets
Seeing i-mode's success in Japan, many operators in Europe, Asia, and Australia licensed the service through partnership with DoCoMo. Takeshi Natsuno was behind the expansion to 17 countries worldwide; Kamel Maamria, a partner with the Boston Consulting Group supporting Natsuno, also had a major role in the expansion. i-mode showed very fast take-up in various countries, leading more operators to launch it, reaching a total of 17 markets worldwide. A key success factor was Japanese smartphone makers who developed handsets to support i-mode. As i-mode was exported, Nokia and other major handset vendors initially refused to support i-mode, developing handsets that did not support the service; operators had to rely on Japanese vendors with no international experience. As i-mode showed success, some vendors partially customized handsets late. The lack of adequate handsets and the emergence of new vendors supporting new Internet services, along with a change of i-mode leadership at DoCoMo, led operators to migrate or integrate i-mode into new mobile Internet services, but these efforts were ultimately unsuccessful, and i-mode never became popular outside Japan. i-mode sponsored the Renault F1 team from 2004 to 2006. Countries where i-mode launched included Australia (Telstra), Belgium (Base), Bulgaria (Globul), France (Bouygues Télécom), Germany (E-Plus), Greece (Cosmote), Hong Kong (3), Ireland (O2), Israel (Cellcom), Italy (Wind), Netherlands (KPN), Romania (Cosmote Romania), Russia (MTS), Singapore (StarHub), Spain (Telefónica), Taiwan (FarEasTone), and the UK (O2).
Devices
Typical i-mode phone features included a clamshell model with large displays (240 x 320 pixels) and often a display on either side, plus digital cameras. Displays normally had 65,536 colors, with later models having up to 262,144 colors. Examples of i-mode devices include the Fujitsu F905i (one of the few Japanese i-mode phones sold outside Japan), LG KE390i, Motorola RAZR V3xx with i-mode, NEC N21i, Nokia N70 i-mode, Samsung S400i, and Sony Ericsson K610im.
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