Sony and NTT DoCoMo , the two front runners in Japan's race to conquer the internet, joined forces yesterday to develop a service that combines their two hit products: the PlayStation console and the i-mode cell phone.
Although details of the alliance remain sketchy, the combination of these leading products is expected to strengthen the companies' global position in the fast growing and converging sectors of video game entertainment and mobile telecommunications.
Both fields are seen as doorways into the internet, which has until now been largely dominated by American computer and software companies.
In signing a memorandum of understanding yesterday, Sony and DoCoMo agreed to create a new entertainment network from this winter that will allow consumers to play PlayStation2 games on i-mode mobile phones.
This will entail the development of a new cable to link the two pieces of hardware and encourage software designers to develop new products that can be used on the PlayStation2 - which is primarily intended for connection with a television - and the far smaller screen of an i-mode phone.
"The initial new service will enable i-mode users to play games with mobile phones outside and also play the same game with PlayStation at home," a DoCoMo spokesman said.
Although the range of the new service is likely to be limited at first by the slow connection speed and weak graphics power of the narrowband i-mode, the two partners predict that two technological developments will create new opportunities.
DoCoMo has tied up with Sun Microsystems to introduce a java-compatible i-mode system this autumn which will ensure much smoother moving images.
Next May, the company plans to start the world's first wideband mobile system. The W-CDMA will overtake PC modems in terms of speed and allow the transmission of complex sound and audio files needed for games.
"With broadband wireless technology, specifically DoCoMo's W-CDMA, there will be the possibility of more enriched game content," said Ken Kutaragi, president of Sony Computer Entertainment. "The W-CDMA standard provides the best mobile network environment that we can imagine. I think this unique Japanese mobile phone culture will also welcomed overseas."
The two partners already dominate their respective markets in Japan and are looking to expand globally.
DoCoMo's i-mode, which offers continuous and low-priced access to the web, has attracted more than 9.5m subscribers since itintroduction in February 1999, making it the world's most successful mobile internet service.
Keiji Tachikawa, the company's president, recently told reporters that i-mode was on course to sign up 17m users by the end of next year. The company, which has a 2 trillion yen (£12.5bn) budget to snap up shares in overseas partners, is also believed to be on the verge of an alliance with America Online, which would give it a huge global lead in terms of content provision.
Yesterday's deal with Sony aims at adding to this head start. Sony's PlayStation is the world's favourite game console, having sold more than 77m units.
