TOKYO -(Dow Jones)- NTT DoCoMo and RealNetworks announced Friday that they have signed a memorandum of understanding as a first step toward jointly deploying RealNetworks' Mobile Streaming Server software.
The memorandum, signed on Feb. 15th, is part of efforts by the Japanese mobile phone service provider to enhance its video streaming V-Live service.
Under the agreement RealNetworks will provide NTT DoCoMo's content providers with Mobile Streaming Servers for its upgraded mobile phone video-streaming services.
The two companies are hoping the memorandum will encourage content providers to offer video streaming services over the Internet to NTT Docomo's third-generation FOMA mobile phone handsets.
Analysts, however, say it is too early to tell whether enhanced video-streaming will develop into a major new revenue source for Japan's largest mobile phone carrier by subscribers.
"They are obviously hoping it will become a major income source but it's all a bit nebulous right now, especially how they'll price these newer services," said Nathan Ramler, telecoms analyst at Macquarie Securities in Tokyo.
-By Jamie Miyazaki, Dow Jones Newswires; 813-5255-2929; jamie.miyazaki@dowjones.com
-Edited by Chris Gallagher
(END) Dow Jones Newswires"
Posted to the site on 17th February 2006
Posted to: www.cellular-news.com/story/16185.php