In my last paper, I wrote about the present state of cell-phones used, including a comparison between Japanese and Americans cell-phone users. Telecommunication company, DoCoMo is the biggest cell-phone company and carrier in Japan. DoCoMo may be working together in the future with U.S telecommunication company, AT&T Wireless in order to market their shares internationally. Japanese technology is one of the foundations for the continued development cell-phone industries, and I want to show in this paper how society can use cell-phone technology for business, entertainment, and the betterment of society.
To do this, I will start by explaining ¡ÈInternational Telecommunication Union (ITU)¡É and ¡ÈInternational Mobile Telecommunications-2000 (IMT-2000)¡É because they promise to widen the use of cell-phones into one of the most important devices in business, industry and society. ¡ÈITU (International Telecommunication Union) is an international organization within which governments and the private sector coordinate global telecom networks and services.¡É ( http://www.itu.int/imt/what_is/imt/index.html, 3/27/01) IMT-2000 (International Mobile Telecommunications 2000) is the next generation of mobile telecommunication systems, following the current commercialized digital mobile/personal telecommunication systems. IMT-2000 is the foundation for how we will use cell-phones because it is a service developed for the purpose of enabling users to use cell-phone services with one handset wherever and whenever they are, using a common frequency and unified technology standard. Standardization work is now under way at the ITU, which will uniform standards for cell-phone users. (http://www.arib.or.jp/IMT-2000/, , 3/27/01) IMT-2000 has these important key features a high degree of commonality of design worldwide; compatibility of services within IMT-2000 and with the fixed networks; high quality; small terminal for worldwide use; worldwide roaming capability, capability for multimedia applications, and a wide range of services and terminals. These are very important, and will allow cell-phone industries to envision a more profitable future with this IMT-2000 technology. (http://www.itu.int/imt/what_is/imt/index.html, 3/27/01).
Japanese people and people in the United States have different views about using cell-phone. Their differences are interesting and offer insights into the people of both countries.
Cell-phones are making big business in Japan, roughly billion dollars in the year 2000. NTTDoCoMo has a vision for the year 2010 that ¡ÈMAGIC.¡É(Mobile multimedia, Anytime Anywhere Anyone, Global mobility support, Integrated wireless solution, Customized personal services.) (http://www.nttdocomo.co.jp/company/vision.html, 03/30/01) DoCoMo considers what is the role of telecommunication achievement in the year 2010, and MAGIC suggests activation of telecommunication marketing and related industries and business. Also, this vision for the year 2010 can realize by not only DoCoMo but also another company, for example AT&T wireless in the U.S, some companies which create computer soft part or hard part, and so on. DoCoMo came out i-mode well by this way, having partnership with much kind of company such as bank, mass-communication industry and game creating industry. So, by connecting with AT&T, DoCoMo will spread the marketing internationally, and by computer soft and hard ware company, it will use IMT-2000 well on cell-phone. Cell-phone will keep making big business in not only Japan but also all over the world in near future.
In the future, researchers have find ways to use cell-phone as remote controls to control robot. Last December, Honda created a robot called ASIMO Advanced Step in Innovative Mobility) which was a robot that continuously walked in cycle and listened to orders by the owner using cell-phones. This new development was an epoch-making in remote control industry in Japan. Thus, the new design by ASIMO and the new function in remote control is influencing Japanese industry and society with the new break though design of ASIMO. Honda¡Çs goal is to recognize and make ASIMO part of society so it will help people lives in the future.
ASIMO has been publicized a lot in mass media. For example, this last winter I watched on TV that could walk fluently and serve tea to guest by remote control systems on cell-phone. Nowadays, ASIMO is working as a presenter or server to people. Also, this April, Honda is going to start renting it for the public. It will become an attention grabber for the public. Tens to command via
Moreover, the remote controlling system is easy because ASIMO listens to command via. It means all people who can use cell-phone can control ASIMO. It is the biggest key in all and also an important wireless information service. Aging society is a serious social problem in Japan. So, the benefit of ASIMO will help care for old people confined to bed like housekeeper.
I think the most important thing for ASIMO¡Çs advertising right now is to gather public attention because it will be a necessity if a robot will be come a part of Japanese society and important technological advance in wireless devices.
With all technological advances in the world, cell-phone has increasingly become a popular device in Japanese society. Telecommunication is improving due to the possibilities in wireless information services. Cell-phone in Japan has become a tool for fussiness, entertainment, and the betterment of society. It has become a necessity and a part of life. Wireless information services will help society become aware of the advantages they can receive by using cell-phones. The development in Japanese cell-phone industry will continue to be advance because it will improve the way people communicate fluently and flexibly.
