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April 25, 2002 |
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NTT Com to Launch "Hotspot |
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TOKYO, JAPAN –– NTT Communications Corporation (NTT Com) announced today that on May 15 it will launch the Hotspot wireless LAN service for mobile access to the Internet via PCs and PDAs, marking the start of the world's first commercial WLAN service to be compatible with IEEE802.11a (5.2 GHz band) and IEEE802.11b (2.4 GHz band) standards.Compatible with both the high-speed 802.11a standard and widely used 802.11b standard, Hotspot will be available in best-effort connection speeds of 36 Mbps (802.11a) or 11 Mbps (802.11b, Wi-Fi1 compatible products). Hostpot enables PC and PDA users to enjoy broadband Internet access in wireless environments (see Attachment). Users will simply require a WLAN card and WLAN-compatible terminal to use the service. Hotspot will start in about 200 locations ("hotspots") in the 23 wards of Tokyo, including cafes, hotels and public areas. NTT Com hopes to increase the service locations to about 1,000 within this year. 802.11a service, limited initially, will expand to all Hotspot service locations by this summer. The monthly usage charge of 1,600 yen includes Internet access. An application fee of 1,500 yen will also be charged. The launch follows Japan's largest trial of WLAN Internet access, which has been held successfully in public areas since last July and attracted more than 7,000 monitors. The trial, called Hi-FIBE, will end on May 12. Users can still register as monitors at www.hifibe.net until May 7. Monitors must apply separately to use Hotspot. General Features:
Security Features:
Hotspot will also be combined with NTT Com's OCN and Share Stage online data storage service for individual users. Applications to use Hotspot can be made online at www.[ 提供終了 ] (Japanese only) beginning May 8. Payment must be made by credit card. As a special offer, Hotspot may be used for free (no application fee, etc.) from May 15 to the end of the month. IEEE802.11a Compatibility Hotspot will offer wireless broadband as the world's first WLAN access service to realize interconnection between different 802.11a equipment of multiple vendors. Currently offered 802.11a products include PC cards from Sony. TDK will also launch compatible products in the near future. NTT Com worked with NTT Access Network Service Systems Laboratories, which helped establish the 802.11a standard, as well as Sony, NEC, TDK and Atheros Communications to verify compatibility between multi-vendor 802.11a WLAN equipment. Previously, interconnection between multi-vendor 802.11a equipment had not been verified. Partners NTT Com is collaborating with the following companies to expand Hotspot service areas. Cafes
Others
Future Developments NTT Com will continue to provide enhanced network services, offering customers a ubiquitous broadband environment that supports creative business and lifestyles. The company will collaborate with developers to promote WLAN and make Hotspot applications more attractive. Joint efforts will include creation of location-based information content with Sharp, content development with Toppan and Internet VPN promotion with AT&T Global Network Services Japan. Development of WLAN technology
Content development
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