KDDI au unveils new mobile handsets for autumn/winter season

ntnn n

n n n n

n ntttttttttttt

Mobile carrier KDDI au on Monday unveiled seven new mobile handsets for the autumn/winter season for the Japanese market. The company said it expects the new handsets and services to revitalize the shrinking market.

n

“With new design and service, we will make au something original,” said Makoto Takahashi, associate senior vice president and general manager for consumer business. “While the market is shrinking, we will seek profitability in terms of quality of our contents.”

n

The company will provide a new application on new handsets for its Jibun Bank, so users can open bank accounts and use e-money services. It will also conduct discount campaigns for new subscribers and users who make a contract with the company through MNP (mobile number portability) service switching from another mobile carrier.

n

Asked about iPhone and Google’s mobile handset, Takahashi said, “I think that for the U.S. market, mobile Internet service is still new and iPhone and other smart phones are also something new (in terms of function and service). But in Japan where mobile Internet access is already widespread, we have to carefully consider the combination of new handsets and services for our users.”

n

The official release date for each of the new handsets will be announced shortly, the company said.

tttttttntttntttntttttttttttt© Japan Todaynttttttttt