TOKYO, REDMOND, Wash. — May 10, 2006 — NTT DoCoMo Inc. and Microsoft Corp. today announced a collaboration to incorporate Microsoft® Windows Media® technologies in NTT DoCoMo’s 3G FOMA™ handsets, starting with the F902iS model to be launched this summer. The F902iS will support both Windows Media Audio and Windows Media Digital Rights Management 10 for portable devices. In addition to Windows Media Audio technologies, NTT DoCoMo will evaluate the incorporation of Windows Media Video, Microsoft’s version of SMPTE VC-1 in future handsets.
i-mode™ alliance partners that provide i-mode mobile Internet services will also consider the use of Windows Media technologies in their handsets.
The incorporation of Windows Media will enable NTT DoCoMo handsets to play music downloaded to a PC from more than 100 online music services around the world, and also support music content ripped from CDs in the highly efficient Windows Media Audio format.
“Microsoft’s Windows Media platform and the company’s commitment toward enabling new digital rights management solutions for the wireless environment are helping to push the industry forward,” said Takeshi Natsuno, senior vice president, managing director, Multimedia Services of NTT DoCoMo. “With support for Windows Media, users of our FOMA handsets will enjoy a broader range of services and more choices for entertainment.”
“NTT DoCoMo is recognized globally as a leader for its advanced data network and numerous wireless data services. Its support for Windows Media technologies is a major step in extending the reach of Windows Media content to millions of wireless devices,” said Amir Majidimehr, corporate vice president of the Windows Digital Media Division. “We are committed to developing technologies that help drive new services and business models around content delivery for the wireless industry.”
With support on hundreds of devices and services, Windows Media Audio and Windows Media DRM are the most widely deployed technologies in the world for the delivery of digital music. Windows Media DRM supports a wide range of business models that include download and play, subscription, and video on demand, and enables mobile operators with the choice to directly acquire licenses on their handsets and/or load content from PCs through a USB cable. Microsoft recently announced it will make significant investments in its DRM technologies, specifically to enable a new offering and drive scenarios that support the wireless industry.
About NTT DoCoMo
NTT DoCoMo is the world’s leading mobile communications company, serving more than 51 million customers. The company offers a wide variety of leading-edge mobile multimedia services, including i-mode™ which provides e-mail and Internet access to over 46 million subscribers as the world’s most popular mobile Internet service, and FOMA™, launched in 2001 as the world’s first 3G mobile service based on W-CDMA. In addition to wholly owned subsidiaries in Europe, North America and Asia, the company is expanding its global reach through strategic alliances with mobile and multimedia service providers in Asia-Pacific and Europe. NTT DoCoMo is listed on the Tokyo (9437), London (NDCM) and New York (DCM) stock exchanges. For more information, visit www.nttdocomo.com.
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.
Microsoft and Windows Media are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.
i-mode and FOMA are trademarks or registered trademarks of NTT DoCoMo Inc. in Japan and other countries.
NTT DoCoMo’s FOMA service is only available to subscribers in Japan.
The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.
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