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DoCoMo and the i-Mode Ecosystem
Overview report of DoCoMo, the world's most admired mobile operator, and i-Mode, the pioneering mobile internet system with 48.5 Million paying subscribers which started in Japan in February 1999.
Version 25 of June 1, 2009
approx. 187 pages, including approx. 48 Figures and 140 Photographs and 10 tables, pdf-format, 7 Mbyte
[BUY Single copy license : US$ 475]
[BUY Corporate license: US$ 2375]
Any questions? Contact us because we need your feedback!
3. "Official menu sites":
3.1 What are "official" sites?
Every imode handset has an "imode button". When you press the imode button, the "i-Mode top Menu" appears. At the top of the "i-Mode top Menu" you will find a link to the "i-Menu". If you click on the "i-Menu" link, a new menu appears which includes an entry for the "Menu List", which is a directory of all official imode sites plus some additional functions (search, billing information, DoCoMo news, etc). Those imode sites, which users can access directly by clicking on links in the directory of the "Menu List" are "official" imode sites.
3.2 What are "un-official" sites?
Those imode sites which are not directly linked to subpages of the "menu list" are "unofficial" (katte) sites. Anybody can offer "unofficial" i-mode sites, and there are 100,000s such sites. Official i-mode sites are always within a partnership with DoCoMo, "unofficial sites"do not need any relationship with DoCoMo.
3.3 I want to have my company's imode site listed on the official imode menu. How can I get my company's imode site listed on the official imode menu?
You will need to get NTT-DoCoMo interested in entering into a partnership agreement with your company. NTT-DoCoMo receives 1000s proposals for imode-menu partnerships and only accepts a handful every month. You will need to convince NTT-DoCoMo that your imode site is sufficiently interesting for imode users, and you will also need to satisfy a list of criteria which NTT-DoCoMo requires offical imode sites and official imode partner site operators to fulfill. Make no mistake: having an official menu site in itself does not guarantee profits. Setting up a business based on an imode site is a major business project, which needs much know-how, information and investment. As a foreign company you will normally need to acquire the local know-how in some way: either by hiring outstanding management, partnering with a local company. DoCoMo has a fixed process for approving menu sites, and you will need to follow this process.
3.4 Which are the most successful imode menu sites?
There are many successful sites. The most visited i-mode sites, besides DoCoMos menu sites and DoCoMos information sites are the weather and the news sites.