By Tony Hallett, 16 March 1999 15:00
NEWS Smartphone software venture, Symbian is to team up with NTT DoCoMo in an effort to sell its technology into the Japanese market. Symbian - formed last year by Ericsson, Nokia, Psion and, later, Motorola - will draw on the Japanese telco's expertise in W-CDMA (Wideband Code Division Multiple Access) technology, which will form the foundation for many third-generation wireless devices. To begin with, both companies will collaborate on research and development. NTT DoCoMo said Symbian's Epoc operating system, first developed by Psion for its handheld computers, is central to the deal. Shuichi Shindo, senior VP of NTT DoCoMo, said Epoc is recognised by handset manufacturers as the platform of choice for next-generation wireless information devices. Together with Symbian, NTT will explore opportunities for new applications, products and services to take advantage of the rapid increase in available bandwidth, he added. Japan, where about a third of the population has a mobile phone, is likely to be a key market for Symbian. Symbian and Psion both have a development facility in Kanazawa, in western Japan, and shares in Psion jumped more than 10 per cent yesterday on the London Stock Exchange after the NTT DoCoMo partnership was announced. After criticism for not forming partnerships more quickly, analysts have welcomed the NTT DoCoMo deal. Justine Heys, principal analyst at the Yankee Group, said Symbian has started to establish itself at the heart of the industry.
In order to post a comment you need to be registered and logged in.
Log in or create your silicon.com account below