REDMOND, Wash., March 17, 1999 — Microsoft Corp. and NTT DoCoMo today announced a technical and business alliance aimed at promoting development of new products and services using wireless data communication and software technology. This alliance, outlined in a memorandum of understanding, is a significant first step toward joint activities between the two companies to improve mobile computing and communications. The companies plan to hold further meetings to discuss how this alliance will be implemented in future service and product offerings.
Specific projects currently under discussion include the following:
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Improvement of functionality for mobile users via Windows CE. The goal is to enhance the Microsoft® Windows® CE operating system to allow better optimization for the voice connection quality of cellular phones. NTT DoCoMo and Microsoft will share technical information to enhance Windows CE for optimal remote access from cellular phones as well as fixed phones. In addition, these technologies may be incorporated into other Microsoft Windows operating systems over time.
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Joint development of a data center service for mobile or portable terminal customers. NTT DoCoMo and Microsoft plan to jointly develop a data center service accessible from the wireless environment. The data center service will offer customers easy wireless or connected access to e-mail, personal schedules, address books and other information from their mobile terminal devices. The combined strength of NTT DoCoMo cellular phone technology and Microsoft server technologies should make these data center services available soon. Finally, NTT DoCoMo and Microsoft plan to jointly develop mobile terminal devices and associated software optimized to access this data center. As a result, users will be able to use data in various formats with a mobile terminal device operated on NTT DoCoMo’s network and benefit from a greater selection of services.
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Support for high-speed Personal Handyphone System (PHS) data communications with products based on Windows CE. NTT DoCoMo and Microsoft will exchange technical information to build an environment that allows optimized use of NTT DoCoMo’s high-speed PHS data communications services with various Windows CE-based products. NTT DoCoMo and Microsoft will cooperate to further promote mobile computing.
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software for personal computers. The company offers a wide range of products and services for business and personal use, each designed with the mission of making it easier and more enjoyable for people to take advantage of the full power of personal computing every day.
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