Openwave Systems announced that its WAP 2.0 technology has supported the extraordinary growth of KDDI, the number two wireless operator in Japan. Openwave's WAP 2.0 technology allows KDDI to support color handsets, innovative applications, and easy access to compelling content -- providing a richer, more appealing end- user experience that has drawn millions of new customers.

Picture shows the Toshiba A5301T 3G CDMA Mobile of the type used by KDDI for its AU service.

KDDI launched its WAP 2.0 service on its "au" branded 2.5G CDMA network in December 2001, and on its 3G CDMA 1XRTT network in April 2002, offering attractive new data services targeted at young, active users. By focusing on the subscriber, KDDI identified a small set of applications that would appeal to their target market, such as photo messaging, movie messaging, global positioning, and games. These new services helped attract 335,000 subscribers within the first month of availability. Just seven months later, KDDI had over 3 million new subscribers on its "au" branded 3G network. Users report the new services are improving both business and personal communications; from using global positioning to find their way to business appointments to photo messaging that allows subscribers to spontaneously share moments through pictures.

According to KDDI, the company selected Openwave's WAP 2.0 technology because it allowed them to deliver seamless migration for its existing users. It also let KDDI quickly develop and deploy new services for a variety of devices. The result is that a large proportion of new subscribers now can use the new data services.

"KDDI put all the essential components in place -- a fast network, advanced handsets and cool applications -- to drive a dramatic increase in consumer demand," said Rich Wong, senior vice president, Openwave. "Our technology has allowed KDDI to offer innovative, differentiated services that have huge consumer appeal, that scale subscriber numbers rapidly without downtime, and enables KDDI to gain market share versus its competitors."

Openwave's WAP 2.0 technology deployed at KDDI includes Openwave® WAP 2.0 Gateway, Openwave Provisioning Manager and Openwave Mobile Browser. Together, these technologies help to power KDDI's 3G CDMA 1XRTT data service. Openwave WAP 2.0 Gateway, built using a modular architecture, provides the high-speed bridge between the device and the appropriate content application. "Based on OMA standards, these core technologies power the industry's most advanced gateway product line, which allows carriers to deliver next- generation mobile services," said Wong. "Our integrated solution provides an easy path for trials and deployment."

For today's subscribers, the Openwave WAP 2.0 Gateway goes well beyond the early WAP standards to enhance the end-user experience, enable a successful business model, and facilitate a rich application environment. Openwave's commitment to standards provides the ability to interoperate with a wide variety of target devices, and offers support for both push and browsing application paradigms.