i-mode: the mobile Internet service of the 21st century

Amid the continuing technological innovations of cellular phone services, the "i-mode" has leapt into the spotlight as a service in the 21st century. In addition to traditional voice communications, the i-mode, by achieving an Internet connection, offers mobile banking, ticket reservations, and other services simply with the press of an i-mode key. The user connects to the information provider via the i-mode server through the packet network; the fee is based on data volume rather than usage time. E-mail can be sent and received not only between two i-mode phones, but via the Internet as well. i-mode has gradually evolved into a multimedia service. This evolution is also having an effect on cellular phone component parts, particularly ICs, LCDs, and battery technologies. Rapid development of i-mode services, the future of these services, and their impact on IC technologies and other parts technologies that will have an important meaning in the context of these services are discussed.