I-mode Spreads to Italy

Japan's DoCoMo and the Italian GSM network operator, Wind Telecomunicazioni have announced a strategic i-mode partnership in the Italian market to launch i-mode services on Wind's GPRS network. The agreement also introduces Wind into the i-mode alliance, the group led by DoCoMo that comprises all the operators that have launched i-mode, and that offers its members the opportunity to market handsets specially adapted for their own services.

The agreement, which will remain in place for five years from June 2003, is renewable by mutual accord and is an exclusive contract with Wind in Italy for 4 years for Wind's 2G and 3G. According to the terms of this agreement, Wind is to offer the i-mode service on its GPRS network, with know-how, technologies, trademarks and expert assistance to be provided by DoCoMo.

Finally, the partnership between Wind and DoCoMo will make it possible for Wind to join the i-mode alliance through such services as i-mode roaming by Wind's participation in the international network formed by the other European operators who use the service: Bouygues Telecom in France, E-Plus in Germany, KPN Mobile in the Netherlands and BASE in Belgium.

Wind believes that the first i-mode services in Italy will be offered by the end of 2003. Wind customers equipped with an i-mode handset will be able to navigate the i-mode portal and the sites created by the operator's official content providers, surf all i-mode compatible sites and enjoy integrated access to their e-mail on Libero."

Posted to the site on 27th June 2003