IMODE
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NTT Do Como’s I-mode is a wireless internet service popular in Japan
Like WAP, i-mode delivers only those services that are specifically converted for the service, or are converted through gateways. This has placed both systems at a disadvantage against handsets that use "real" browser software, and generally use a flat pricing structure for data. Even I-mode's creator, Takeshi Natsuno, has stated "I believe the I-Phone is closer to the mobile phone of the future, compared with the latest Japanese mobile phones.
WAP uses WML on top of a protocol stack for wireless handheld devices, I-mode borrows from fixed Internet data formats such as C-HTML based on HTML, as well as Do Como proprietary protocols ALP (HTTP) and TLP (TCP, UDP).
I-mode phones have a special I-mode button for the user to access the start menu. There are more than 12,000 official sites and around 100,000 or more unofficial I-mode sites, which are not linked to Do Como’s I-mode portal page and Do Como’s billing services. NTT Do Como supervises the content and operations of all official I-mode sites, most of which are commercial. These official sites are accessed through Do Como’s I-mode menu but in many cases official sites can also be accessed from mobile phones by typing the URL or through the use of QR code (a barcode).
An i-mode user pays for both sent and received data. There are services to avoid unsolicited e-mails. The basic monthly charge is typically on the order of JPY ¥200 - ¥300 for I-mode not including the data transfer charges, with additional charges on a monthly subscription basis for premium services. A variety of discount plans exist, for example family discount and flat packet plans for unlimited transfer of data at a fixed monthly (on the order of ¥4000/month).
This post was written by: Rajendra Prasad
Rajendra Prasad is a professional blogger, web designer and front end web developer. Follow him on Facebook
