March 16, 2001

 

 

NTT Communications Corporation (NTT Com) announced today that it will carry out a trial service tentatively named SORETTE to deliver interactive CD-ROM software via a high-speed broadband IP network in Tsukuba city, Ibaraki Prefecture from April to June. The service will enable users to enjoy interactive content, such as for edutainment and language studies, at home by accessing to a server residing at a CATV service provider.

The trial will be carried out using technology of Media Station, Inc., an U.S. company in which NTT Com became a capital partner in July 2000. Media Station aggregates leading CD-ROM content for online delivery via broadband networks. The company has developed its own unique software delivery method that adjusts network speeds to available bandwidth and uses copyright protection and user ID authentication to satisfy content providers’ needs for secure delivery.

NTT Com will use this technology to offer the first online CD-ROM software delivery service in Japan. The results of the trial will help the company finalize its marketing, technology and operational plans for a commercial service, which it hopes to launch soon.

The SORETTE service will allow users to access CD-ROM software from their homes via broadband Internet access, including cable and ADSL.

The software will cover a wide selection of titles in six basic categories:

•	Edutainment
•	Language study
•	Learning and playing for kids
•	Using computers
•	Home improvement
•	Hobbies

The trial service will be provided through ACCSnet, a high-speed (max. 512 Kb/s) cable Internet service offered through the Academic New Town Community Cable Service (ACCS), which provides cable television and cable Internet access services to approximately 50,000 and 2,500 households respectively in the Tsukuba area (see attachment).

Details of the trial service follow:

Time	:	April to June
Area	:	Territory served by ACCSnet in Tsukuba city, Ibaraki Prefecture
Users	:	Approximately 200 households (selected via drawing)
Charge	:	None (for trial users)
Activities	:

	-NTT Com	:	promotion, customer support, system maintenance and operation
	- ACCS	:	network provision and operation and promotional/operational support
	- Media Station	:	technology provision and technical-operation support

The following companies will provide content for the trial:

•	A.I. SOFT, INC.
•	ALC Press Inc.
•	ASCII CORPORATION
•	Cell-Infortech Inc.
•	CHUGOKU SUNNET CO., LTD.
•	GAKKEN CO., LTD.
•	Gakugei CO., Ltd.
•	Inter Group Corporation
•	INTERPROG Corporation
•	Ecole de Cuisine Egami
•	Media-Kite Co., Ltd.
•	NEC Interchannel, Ltd.
•	Sanrio Company, Ltd.
•	Soiku Ltd.
•	Sourcenext Corporation
•	and others

For the commercial service, NTT Com plans to aggregate a wider range of CD-ROM content by working with these and other providers and broadband access operators. Also, NTT Com hopes to support the creation of new lifestyles through the provision of IP-technology based services, such as SORETTE.