[JTND] Wireless Net Service Blends PHS and Wi-Fi Connection

[Matatabi Report <editor@matatabi.com>]

From Company Press Release (Japanese):

Japan Communications Inc. adds Wireless LAN hot spots roaming service
to its b-mobile wireless Internet service. Starting in late March, in
addition to the slower PHS(Personal Handy-phone System*) services, the
b-mobile users can connect to the Internet via NTT Com's pubic Wi-Fi
access points in several major cities(more than 350 hot
spots). Although a user must have an IEEE802.11b or 11a wireless LAN
card, there is no additional fee required, and userID and password can
be shared between two services.

The pre-paid b-mobile program includes a PHS modem PC card. A user
inserts the card into his laptop or PDA and access the net at up to
128 kbps. Use of the Wi-Fi roaming service for a day will be offset by
two days from the pre-paid period (Two days detected from the pre-paid
period when a user accesses NTT Com's service for a day.). Japan
Communications sells 6 months and 12 months pre-paid services.

http://www.j-com.co.jp/news/release/0302.html
(Japanese)

*A Personal Handy-phone System (PHS) provides mobile communication
using existing public network facilities, including exchanges and
cables. That means PHS services can be supplied at a relatively low
rate, which can attract both business users and general end users.

PHS is suitable for multimedia communication requiring high-quality,
high-speed data transmission: Transmits at 32 kbps per channel (in
case of b-mobile using up to four channels for 128 kbps).

In Japan, PHS are mostly used for data communication nowadays (Many
PHS voice service users have switched to digital cell phones.). The
services are available in most of cities.


[I take Jornada 720 and PHS modem card when I go out of my office. I
subscribe to a flat rate PHS service from DDI pocket(Air H) and use my
Jornada to check email and 2 channel BBS while I am on commuter trains
or at cafe. What I am waiting for is a card which integrates both PHS
and Wi-Fi. It would be great if I can automatically switch between
high seed Wi-Fi and PHS connection depending on my location.]

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