Contributing to Societal and Industrial Development Through the Mobile Phone Business

DOCOMO has worked to develop mobile phones with an array of functions and build mobile network environments for communication that can be used anytime, anywhere in order to make communication more pleasant and enriching for all. Our mobile phones and communications infrastructure support the day-to-day communications of enormous numbers of customers and have the potential to help solve a variety of issues facing society.
DOCOMO is therefore working to develop new services that draw on the communications infrastructure to contribute to the development of the society and the industry.

Topic #1

Environmental Sensor Network Business Launched Using Base Stations Kanako Ono Frontier Services Department

Image of Environmental Sensor

DOCOMO launched a new environmental sensor network business in January 2010 to provide detailed environmental data using our nationwide network of mobile phone base stations, which serve as the data collection platform. The initial service is providing data on pollen levels collected from sensors in some 300 locations in the Kanto region and Shizuoka Prefecture. We are currently installing sensors at approximately 2,500 sites all around the country to collect and provide pollen data and weather information, including on humidity levels, rain amounts, wind direction and velocity, as well as information on lightening strikes. For this year's pollen season, we provided information on the conventional business-to-business and business-to-business-to-consumer models, and also established the "docomo Kafun (Pollen) Live!" website for customers on a trial basis. The information fee is free and could be accessed from mobile phones, smartphones and personal computers. Going forward, we plan to also establish sensors at sites other than base stations and provide even more precise environmental data.

Topic #2

Commercializing Bicycle-Sharing Service Using Mobile Phones Yuuki Takeda Assistant Manager, Frontier Services Department

Image of Bicycle-Sharing Service

With concern over the environment mounting, bicycle-sharing programs are growing in popularity, particularly in Europe. Japan is still in the early stages, but DOCOMO has been moving toward commercialization of a bicycle-sharing service for some time. We are working to develop a bicycle reservation, rental and return system that utilizes mobile phone functions and networks and to develop applications that promote use of the program. As a part of this drive, in April 2011 we began participating in a public bicycle-sharing pilot program initiated by the City of Yokohama. Three hundred bicycles have been made available at 19 bicycle ports around central Yokohama, and we provide a service that enables people to make a reservation using their mobile phones. Since starting the service, use of bicycles for sightseeing, commuting and shopping has increased. Efforts are currently underway to expand the service area and secure additional partners with a view to full commercialization.

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