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Story URL: http://networks.silicon.com/mobile/0,39024665,39121442,00.htm

DoCoMo reveals mobile that's your keys, train ticket, cash...
Just don't leave it on the bus...

By Jo Best

Published: Thursday 17 June 2004

Japanese mobile giant NTT DoCoMo has revealed plans that will see its next generation of mobile handsets become a sort of wireless wallet.

The four new phones will be able to electronically take the place of everything from train tickets and virtual cash to an ID card and front door keys, using a smart-card system. The handsets will be available from early next month.

While having your entire life on your handset may have its advantages, what happens if the phone is lost or stolen? For those with the later, higher-end handsets, if one goes missing, the cash and smart-card functions can be disabled remotely, but for those with cheaper models there's no such functionality.

DoCoMo has signed up various partners – including a Japanese train company and the ubiquitous McDonalds, as well as a Japanese department store chain – to interact with the phones. The virtual money system that will feature in the phones will be accepted by around 9,000 outlets across Japan.

The Japanese mobile operator is hoping the new service will be more successful than i-mode, its data service platform, and will encourage subscribers to stay with the company on a more long term basis.

The smart-card technology is based on Sony's FeliCa chip.