TELECOM Digest OnLine - Sorted: KDDI lets Mobile Phone Customers Use Google Search


KDDI lets Mobile Phone Customers Use Google Search


Reuters News Wire (reuters@telecom-digest.org)
Thu, 18 May 2006 14:07:27 -0500

KDDI Corp., Japan's No.2 telecom firm, said on Thursday it had agreed
a deal with Google Inc. enabling users of its Internet services via
"au" mobile phones to use Google's Web search engine.

The first adoption of the world's most popular search service in
Japan, starting in July, will make Internet searches easier while
enabling direct access to information sought by users, the company
said.

Users will also be able to view content aimed not only at mobile
phones but also at PCs through the new search service, the first of
its kind in Japan, and also text advertisements which meet the needs
of users based on search terms, KDDI said.

The announcement comes at a time when Japan's $78 billion mobile phone
market is preparing for a possible increase in competition as a new
government rule this autumn will make it easier for customers to
switch services by letting them keep their existing phone numbers.

The industry also faces a challenge from Softbank Corp., which
recently bought Vodafone Group Plc's Japan operations, allowing the
aggressive high-speed Internet provider to offer a combination of
fixed-line, broadband and mobile services.

Softbank unveiled a new strategic move on Thursday as it said it would
set up a mobile phone handset and content joint venture with Vodafone
to buy phones at lower costs and offer innovative services to users.

But KDDI sees little direct impact from the new service on its
earnings, a company spokesman said.

"Our main target from this is to improve usefulness of services to our
existing users," he said.

KDDI declined to comment on further details, including the value or
period of the contract.

Last month KDDI forecast its group operating profit to rise 7 percent
in the year to March, 2007, slightly above market expectations.

But KDDI said operating profit at its mobile phone business, which
contributes 82 percent of total sales, would be flat this year as it
sees the unit's average revenue per user drop and the percentage of
customers leaving the service rise.

au is KDDI's main mobile phone brand with over 20 million subscribers,
tracking behind that of NTT DoCoMo Inc., Japan's No. 1 mobile phone
operator.

It has enjoyed strong demand in recent years thanks to aggressive
pricing plans, attractive phones and innovative services such as music
downloads.

The news, announced on Thursday afternoon, helped KDDI shares rise 4
percent to 731,000 yen, compared with a 0.14 percent fall in the
information and telecommunications sector subindex.

Copyright 2006 Reuters Limited.

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