Japanese mobile network operator NTT DoCoMo is to launch an online shopping mall and account aggregation portal enabling both 2G and 3G SSL-compatible i-mode handset users to manage their finances and shop online with their Visa, Mastercard or JCB credit cards.
The online mall, named DoCommerce, will open on Monday 26 May with 10 virtual shops selling items such as accessories, perfumes and healthcare goods. The mall is available on a dedicated site accessible via i-mode handsets.
NTT DoCoMo's i-mode mobile Internet service provides e-mail and Web access to over 35 million subscribers.
The mobile payment application behind DoCommerce was developed by Irish company Network365 and implemented in conjunction with HP Japan. Customers can personalise the service with a range of shipping addresses, payment methods, purchase history and other options. A personal code is used to unlock the user's wallet when purchases are being made, and the payment and shipping details are passed to the virtual store using a secure connection.
As well as online shopping, DoCommerce will also feature an account aggregation service enabling users to check simultaneously, and on one single screen, the balances of their various financial accounts.
According to the World Wireless Forum, by 2006, Japan, USA, Germany and UK will represent four of the largest mobile payment markets in the world. There will be more than 200 million regular mobile payment users spending a total of EUR47.2 billion. In key markets, the total value of mobile payments will rise from EUR5.5 billion in 2002 to EUR55.3 billion in 2006.