PDF [4833KB] - Sony

Other
Internet Service Provider
The Internet environment
in Japan is changing
rapidly. At the end
of March 2004, out of
more than 36 million
Internet users currently
in Japan, over 14 million are using a broadband
connection.
In this climate, Sony is taking steps, through
its Internet service business So-net, to offer a
comprehensive range of broadband connection
and content services.
For example, in April 2004, as part of a
service that allows consumers to view Internet
web sites on their home television, So-net has
pioneered a new way to enjoy television viewing
by launching a new service for the location
free television Airboard LF-X1. By connecting
the Airboard to the Internet, this service allows
users to conveniently view a variety of content,
including news, weather forecasts, program
listings and horoscopes—even while they are
watching television.
So-net also supports NetAV*, a distinctive
feature of Airboard, which allows users to
remotely view television programs and DVD
content broadcast from their homes, even
when they are overseas.
A web site service for Sony’s Airboard LF-X1 location free
television
*NetAV is a function made possible through So-net’s
Dynamic DNS service (recommended). Content viewed
through this service is intended for personal use only, and
any other use, unless permission is obtained from the
copyright holder, is strictly prohibited.
Integrated Circuit (IC) Card Business
FeliCa, Sony’s contactless IC card
technology, is becoming an essential part
of our everyday lives
FeliCa is a contactless IC card that, when placed
over an electronic reading device, facilitates the
smooth exchange of information. “FeliCa” stems
from the word “felicity,” which literally means
“great happiness.” As its name suggests, FeliCa
was designed to make daily activities more enjoyable
and convenient. Because data on the card
can be overwritten many times, the card can be
used repeatedly. In addition, the card can store
distinct information for, and be accessed independently
by, various companies, making it a multiple-purpose
card. It also boasts the fastest
processing speed in the IC card industry. Through
its mutual authentication and data encryption
technology, it provides a secure environment for
data transmission. Separate access rights can be
established for different companies in the card’s
memory, thus facilitating independent access by
multiple companies. As evidence of the high value
placed upon these features, FeliCa technology is
currently being utilized by a wide range of mass
transit systems in Japan, including the Suica
commuter pass of East Japan Railway Co., Ltd. (JR
East); the ICOCA commuter pass of West Japan
Railway Co., Ltd. (JR West); and local bus services.
FeliCa has also been adopted by public transportation
systems in Hong Kong, Singapore, China
and India. In particular, in Hong Kong, which was
the first location worldwide to adopt FeliCa technology,
cards based on FeliCa technology can be
used in public phones and convenience stores.
FeliCa technology has also been adopted for
use in electronic payment systems for the purchase
of food and beverages at stores and
shopping centers, as well as for ID and access
control for corporate offices and schools. In
Japan, FeliCa is being employed in the Edy electronic
money service, which is operated by
bitWallet, Inc., and accepted at more than 9,000
convenience stores and other retail outlets nationwide.
Sony Finance International, Inc., also
uses FeliCa technology for its credit card, eLIO,
which was developed exclusively for Internet
shopping. Also, in summer 2004, NTT DoCoMo
Inc., will begin selling cellular phones embedded
with an IC chip based on FeliCa technology.
Contactless IC card FeliCa
Suica* prepaid commuter pass, valid
on all JR East, Tokyo Monorail and
Tokyo Waterfront Area Rapid Transit
railway lines
Approximately 9 million cards issued
to date
*Suica is a registered trademark of JR East.
ez-link Card (Singapore)
Used on railway, subway and
buses in Singapore
Approximately 6 million cards
issued to date
Octopus Card (Hong Kong)
Octopus Watch (Hong Kong)
ICOCA* prepaid commuter
pass, valid on all JR West
railway lines
Approximately 1.3 million cards
issued to date
*ICOCA is a registered trademark of JR
West.
ANA Mileage Club Card, Edy card
(All Nippon Airways Co., Ltd.)
Can be used to convert air miles
into Edy electronic money
Can be used on railway, subway, buses,
ferries and other public transportation, as
well as for the purchase of goods and as a
form of ID
Available in card or watch form
More than 10 million cards issued to date
* Octopus Card and Octopus Watch are registered
trademarks of Octopus Cards Limited.
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