Frontier of Business Mobile: Listen to The Developer of W-ZERO3 for Smart Phone Strategy

By Mr. Yasuhiro Sunaga, Assistant Manager of Service Planning Department, WILLCOM, Inc.


The story to develop W-ZERO3 and the strategy about smart phone in future is introduced in the presentation of Mr. Sunaga, the developer of W-ZERO3 at WILLCOM, Inc. (Supplemented on Apr. 25, 2007)

[Introduciton]
The mobile business tool that combined voice with data communication function, W-ZERO3 is released in December 2005. Since simply naming it after Smart Phone might create understanding difficulty, we decided to give this none-mobile and none-computer product a third name called Communication Tool.


We are not sure how the new concept product will be accepted by the market during development, but people lined up in a long queue to reserve it on the reservation day. The feedback more than expected amount are received from the customers. The concept smoothly penetrated the market and the product becomes a fashionable tool to hold.

[Concept]
It was defined as both having the mobility of a cell phone and the multi-function of a computer.

  • Mobility of a cell phone

    •   1.  Compact Style Designed for Easy Move (Can be easily put into a shirt pocket, saving the need of an extra bag.)
      2.   PUSH Style (Being unlike Pull style, receiving SMS and email automatically.)
      3.   Simple Operation

  • Multifunction of a computer

    •   1.   Enormous Applications
      2.   Sophisticated Processing Capability
      3.   Open Architecture

    [Background of Success]
      1.  Flat Rate Voice and Data Service (Cost effective and simple fare plan with up to JPN6,700 per month for no limit use.)
      2.  AIR-EDGE (Enjoying wireless internet anytime)
      3.  W-SIM STYLE (Different Jacket can be chosen with one W-SIM)

    [Difference with Mobile]

  • W-ZERO3 is a combination of the merits of high-end mobile and PDA.


    • It holds the JAVA, Mega-pixel Camera and communication functions from a mobile, and the MS office compatibility, full keyboard, full internet browser and big memory from a PDA, besides having reasonable using cost.

    [Evolvement of W-ZERO3]

  • W-ZERO3 will be further developed in two ways including the W-ZERO3 (WS004SH) for power users and the W-ZERO3[es] for light users.

    • [Market Expansion]

  • To exert the strong personality of W-ZERO3. For example:

    •   1.  Using the resource of Windows Live for Windows Mobile, online chat can be realized on full keyboard.
      2.  Taking advantage of flat rate data service, the internet radio service is offered by J-Wave can be received.
      3.  Customizing a handset is possible owning to the open platform.

  • Business solution

    • Mobile data communication is favored by business users. 40% of users get this kind of service from WILLCOM, which is the leading service provider of mobile data communication.

  • About new product

    • We plan to develop new products that differentiate PHS further from other mobile service. More information about our new products will be released on the following website:http://x-w.jp

    (compiled by Mr. Hosokawa at SANYO Electric Co., Ltd.)