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L-mode is an IP (internet protocol) based information, data and email service which can be accessed
through L-mode enabled wired telephones and IC-card payphones in Japan.
2. How many subscribers does L-mode have?
L-mode subscriber numbers are much lower than i-mode subscriber numbers.
One reason for the relatively low uptake is that people don't often buy a new
fixed line telephone, often only when they move to a new house or to a new appartment.
NTT expects that at some point in the future all fixed line phone subscribers may
also subscribe to L-mode, however Eurotechnology is not convinced. The figure below
shows the increase of L-mode subscribers over time, compared with the increase of
i-mode subscribers in the initial start-up phase of i-mode.
3. Who owns and operates L-mode?
L-mode is owned and operated by NTT-West in western Japan and by NTT-East in eastern Japan.
4. When was L-mode introduced?
NTT introduced L-mode on June 26, 2001.
5. Why did NTT-East and NTT-West develop and introduce L-mode?
There are several reasons: NTT saw DoCoMo's success with i-mode, and was looking to emulate i-mode
for the fixed line telephone services. Secondly, NTT is under increasing competition by smaller
telephone companies, and L-mode services to differentiate NTT's traditional phone lines with an
additional service. Thirdly, NTT saw a demand for using email and simple local internet-style information
services and email services from people who normally don't use a PC, e.g. housewives and aged people.
6. Does L-mode have an "Official Menu" like i-mode?
NTT took many elements for L-mode from i-mode. L-mode also has an "official menu" similar to i-mode.
There are several differences between the official L-mode menu and the official i-mode menu. For example, L-mode
also has open submenues or portals, i.e. independent operators also have portals similar to the official L-mode menu.
Another difference to i-mode is, that monthly charges are not limited to presently YEN 100, YEN 200, YEN 300 as for i-mode, but
almost any amount up to YEN 1000 (approx. US$ 10) can be charged per month by service providers which have a contract with
NTT as official menu partners. At present (August 2002) there are about 500 content providers offering about 2000 information programs
for the official L-mode menu.
7. What is "Minitel" and what does it have to do with L-mode?
Minitel is an information service similar to L-mode, which was introduced in France around 1984. Experiments preparing for
Minitel started as early as 1978 in France. Around 1984, France decided to distribute a large number of Minitel terminals for
free for those telephone subscribers who discontinued their (free) subscription of printed telephone directories. Since the
terminals were free of charge, Minitel gained a very large number of users quickly. At it's peak there were about 20 million Minitel
users in France and about 7000 content providers. There are several differences between L-mode and Minitel, such as data speed,
business models, etc.
8. Which page description language does L-mode use?
L-mode uses compact html very similar to the version of html used for i-mode. However, there are some small but significant differences.
For example, L-mode's e-moji (picture characters) are different, and there is a FAX-to tag. There are further small differences.
Essentially it is relatively easy to provide services for L-mode, once the infrastructure is built for an i-mode site.
9. Does L-mode use a micro-payment system similar to i-mode?
Yes, L-mode users can charge content suscription charges to their monthly phone bill through their L-mode subscription.
In addition, there is much ecommerce and financial transaction and online banking through L-mode. In these cases the
payment is through credit cards or other financial methods. Payment at covenience stores using bar coded vouchers
is also a common form of consumer payment in Japan for ecommerce and mail order transactions.
10. Which Terminals does L-mode use?
L-mode can be used from special L-mode enabled fixed wire telephones. At the momend (August 2002) a large part of
telephones for sale in Japanese telephone shops are L-mode enabled.
11. Does L-mode have any direct competitors? Did other telephone companies introduce similar data services to
compete in this area with NTT?
Yes, "J-Web by ODN" directly competes with L-mode. J-web is owned and operated by Japan Telecom,
which is now majority owned by the British company VODAFONE. J-web is very similar but not identical to L-mode. The
pricing and fee structures are little different.
13. Does L-mode offer the possibility of downloading JAVA applet?
No, at the moment L-mode does not offer support for downloading or running JAVA applications.
White papers and reports (download now as pdf-files):
