Chinese PHS Handsets to Get Predictive Text Service

Zi Corporation says that it has added a new Japanese manufacturer to its growing customer list by licensing its predictive text software, eZiText to Fujitsu I-Network Systems (FINET), a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Fujitsu. The agreement provides Fujitsu I-Network Systems the use of Zi technology in Chinese (simplified and traditional) and English languages for Fujitsu-designed handsets being manufactured for the rapidly growing Chinese Handyphone System (PHS) market.

The agreement calls for FINET to pay Zi upfront engineering and implementation fees and additional revenues per handset sold. FINET's handsets embedded with eZiText text input technology are expected to be introduced into the Chinese market during the third quarter of 2003.

The new and emerging PHS wireless communications network, also commonly referred to as the Personal Access System (PAS) in China, was created as a cost effective alternative to traditional wireless and fixed line networks and is particularly suited to densely-populated areas such as those in many parts of China. Market forecasters suggest the Chinese PHS network will grow from 12 million subscribers at the end of 2002 to between 19 million and 25 million at the end of this year.

FINET chose eZiText after careful consideration of the technology and support services, said Kenichi Ogawa, Sales division sales director (Global account sales) of Fujitsu I-Network Systems.

"We evaluated Zi and eZiText and found that Zi offered excellent service and support for its products," said Kenichi Ogawa. "We also found eZiText to be a natural Chinese input system which met our specifications to compete in the growing China market. With the addition of eZiText in our handsets, we have now set a higher standard for input in the PHS market."

The addition of Fujitsu to the Zi customer base is an important inroad into the Japanese original equipment manufacturer (OEM) market, said Gary Mendel, vice president of sales and marketing, Zi Corporation.

"This is an important and significant win for us, as this new relationship with FINET establishes our technology firmly in the PHS technology space, and further increases our leading presence within the China market with this well known brand from Japan," Mendel said."

Posted to the site on 24th July 2003