Disney to launch MVNO in Japan

[Fire14]

Disney to launch mobile phone service in Japan next spring

U.S. entertainment giant Walt Disney Co. plans to launch mobile phone service in Japan next spring using Softbank Mobile Corp.'s telecommunications network, sources familiar with the matter said Sunday.

Disney will develop mobile phone handsets with Softbank Mobile and sell them, and accept subscriptions through the Japanese mobile phone operator's nationwide sales network, the sources said.

Disney is expected to offer content involving Disney characters and distribute cartoons to its subscribers, they said.

The U.S. entertainment company will become the first mobile virtual network operator, or MVNO, in Japan to offer both voice and data communications service. Existing MVNOs in Japan offer only wireless data communications service.

Softbank Mobile, a mobile phone business of Internet conglomerate Softbank Corp., has decided to lease its mobile communications network to Disney as part of efforts to expand its profit base, the sources said.

Softbank Mobile, which has about 17 million subscribers, has been expanding rapidly due to its popular discount fee plan, but it still has adequate capacity in its network, they said.

Disney provides mobile phone service in the United States under an MVNO arrangement, but plans to finish it by the end of this year, according to the sources.

Disney to Launch Mobile Phone Service in Japan Next Spring

[Fire14]

Disney ties up with Softbank to offer mobile phone service in Japan

Walt Disney Co. said Monday it will launch mobile phone services in Japan next spring using Softbank Mobile Corp.'s telecommunications network.

Walt Disney Co. Japan, the Japanese unit of the U.S. entertainment giant, submitted an application to Japan's Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications to become a so-called mobile virtual network operator.

The U.S. entertainment company became the first mobile virtual network operator, or MVNO, in Japan to offer both voice and data communications service. Existing MVNOs in Japan offer only wireless data communications service.

Disney and Softbank will cooperate in developing mobile phone handsets and contents of the services. Disney will accept subscriptions through the Japanese mobile phone operator's nationwide sales network.

Disney is expected to offer content involving Disney characters and distribute cartoons to its subscribers, they said.

Disney Japan President Paul Candland said, by combining quality services of Softbank and entertaining content by Disney, his company will be able to offer groundbreaking mobile phone services.

Softbank Mobile, a mobile phone business of Internet conglomerate Softbank Corp., has decided to lease its mobile communications network to Disney as part of efforts to expand its profit base, it said.

Softbank Mobile, which has about 17 million subscribers, has been expanding rapidly due to its popular discount fee plan, but it still has adequate capacity in its network.

Disney provides mobile phone service in the United States under an MVNO arrangement but plans to finish it by the end of this year.

Disney Confirms MVNO Plans for Japan

[prepaidearth]

Interesting move by Disney , moving into Asia where there is real action. We are now seeing a great push towards prepaid internet services as well as prepaid mobile services since most networks are extending the basic mobile offering. With Disney being in Japan will it offer prepaid services and beyond that wireless internet?

Another question I have is will Disney allow for roaming under this arrangement to other Asian countries such as Korea, China and even down to Australia.

We all know that content and branding is king, however is there room for Disney is what must be the most advanced mobile network in the world. Please let me know what your thoughts are, thanks Prepaidearth.