i-mode is a wireless internet service launched in Japan by NTT Docomo in 1999, providing users with email, web access, and various services through a packet-switched network. The architecture involves an i-mode server that enables constant connectivity, and it uses specific protocols to facilitate communication and data transfer efficiently. Compared to WAP, i-mode is more user-oriented, allowing greater access and control over content, although it has some disadvantages like small display size and low bandwidth.

2. Presentation on
Presented By
Arun P Raju

3. contents
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History of i mode
What is i mode?
Architecture
How i mode works?
i mode Security
Business Model
i mode Services
i mode Users
Comparison with WAP
Advantages of i mode
Conclusion

4. i mode - History
i-mode was launched in Japan on 22 February1999 by NTT
DoCoMo. The content planning and service design team
was led by Mari Matsunaga, while Takeshi Natsuno was
responsible for the business development.
Further Developments:
Dec. 1999 i-mode compatible handsets with color screens
were marketed
Jan. 2001 i-appli service launched
Jul. 2001 i-area service launched
Nov. 2001 i-motion service launched
Jun. 2002 i-shot service launched
Jan. 2003 i-motion mail service launched
Sep. 2005 i-channel service launched
Oct. 2006 keyword search service for i-mode launched

5. Mari Matsunaga
Takeshi Natsuno

6. What is i mode???
I-mode is a wireless internet service popular in
Japan. Unlike WAP, i-mode encompasses a wider
variety of internet standards, including web access, email and the packet-switched network that delivers
the data.
i-mode users have access
to various services such as e-mail, sports results,
weather forecast, games, financial services and ticket
booking. Content is provided by specialized services,
typically from the mobile carrier, which allows them to
have tighter control over billing.

7. Architecture
HTTP/TCP/IP Leased
Line
Packet iMode
Network Server
(PDC-P)
HTTP/TCP/IP
Communication
Network
(PDC)
PSTN
Internet
Info.
Provid
er
Info.
Provid
er
Info.
Provid
er
PC
Groupware
Server
PC

8. i mode Server
The i-mode server is a regular Web server. It can
reside at NTT DoCoMo or at the Enterprise.
DoCoMo has been acting as a portal and so
“normally” maintains the iMode server. For future
implementations with advanced
security requirements, it is possible to host the
iMode server at the Enterprise.
• Functions:
Internet
AccessProxy
o Mail Storage
o User
Management
o Information
charging
o

9. (Packet PDC-P) Personal Digital Cellular-
Packet
i-mode provides Internet service using Personal Digital
Cellular-Packet (PDC-P) and a subset of HTML 3.0 for
content description.
i-mode allows application/content providers to distribute
software (Java applets) to cellular phones and also
allows users to download applets (e.g., games)
the communication and is carried over TCP/IP for the
wired part of the communication.
.

10. •
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Protocols
TLP (Transport Layer Protocol)
o Improved efficiency in PDC-P network over TCP (uses fewer
packets to save charges)
o Higher data packet ratio
ALP (Application Layer Protocol )
o Supports both pull (HTTP) and push style communication
o Direct HTTP communication between mobile phone and i-mode
server
UITP (User Information Transfer Protocol) sends subscriber information
from PDC-P network to iMode server
NWMP (Network Management Protocol) performs signaling
o Start/end of packet communication
o E.g. email delivery, push content notification
Telephony
Function
HTML
Mail
ALP (Application Layer
Protocol)
TLP (Transport Layer Protocol)
PDC
PDC-P
iMode
Server
ALP (Application Layer
Protocol)
TCP
IP

11. How does i-Mode work?
•The i-Mode service uses an additional packet communication
network that is built onto DoCoMo's main network.
•This packet data transmission technology allows for constant
connectivity.Thus, users are not charged for how long they are
online, since this time is unlimited.
There are essentially 4 main components that are required for
the i-Mode service.
1)A cellular phone capable of voice and packet communication and with a
browser installed.
2)A packet network.
3)An i-mode server.
4) information providers.

12. Security
Issues
1.Security of the radio link between i-mode
handset and the cellular base station.
2. Password security
3. Security of private networks on i-mode.
4. Security of private network links between the imode center and special service providers such
as banks.

13. i-mode Related Services
i-appli: i-mode with Java
This service group consists of software (programs) used
with i-mode compatible mobile phone terminals.
Downloading the software makes it possible automatically
update the news and weather forecast displays as well as to play new
games.
i-area: Location Based Service
This is DOCOMO's location information service. The i-area
service enables the user to check the weather forecast, traffic and
store information and other convenient information for local areas as
well as the map information to the user's current location.

14. i mode Users

15. i-mode was launched in the following countries:
Australia
Belgium
Bulgaria
France
Germany
Greece
Hong Kong
Israel
Ireland
Italy
Netherlands
Russia
Romania
Singapore
Spain
Taiwan
UK

16. Comparison b/w i mode and WAP
WAP
• Specification for presenting
and interacting with
information on wireless
• Sites based on new WML
• 39% of world’s wireless
internet users
• Usually used over circuit
switched connections
• Services business-oriented,
work-oriented
• Anyone can produce
content, content menus
iMode
• Wireless internet service
(could be deployed over
WAP)
• Sites based on HTML
(cHTML)
• 60% of world’s wireless
internet users
• Usually used over packet
switched connections
• Services user-oriented, funoriented
• Anyone can produce
content, DoCoMo operates
content menus

17. I-mode Mobile Phones

18. A Look at an i-mode Device
 Currently an i-mode device is an
equivalent of a very low-end
computer
 Additional buttons : directional,
select and the i button.
 Must have an iHTML browser.
 Menu based interface (i-Menu)
 Try typing in a URL => It’s not
easy!

19. SIZE: Using an i-mode phone, you can send and receive e-mail message with up to 250(doublebyte) Japanese characters or 500 Latin characters in the body of your messages,
including spaces (total allowed size: 500 bytes).
SPEED: i-mode phones transmit data at a speed of 9.6kbps
SITES: The most popular i-mode sites are by far entertainment-related sites where you can
download character images and ringing tones, play games, read your horoscope. Other
popular services include weather information and news-related sites.
COST: Your bill will depend on how much you use i-mode on your phone.There is a basic fee of
300 yen per month to access i-mode service. When you actually use I-mode to
surf websites and send or receive email, you are charged 0.3 yen per packet (128 bytes)
of transferred data

20. Advantages
Wireless internet service (could be deployed over WAP)
Sites based on HTML (cHTML)
60% of world’s wireless internet users
Usually used over packet switched connections
Services user-oriented, fun-oriented
Anyone can produce content, DoCoMo operates content menus
Disadvantages
Small display size
Spotty coverage (tunnels, near buildings)
Low bandwidth (wireless)

21. Conclusion
i-mode phones are very good features, in
future, using i-mode phones we can always
connect internet.
The packet data transmission technology
allows for constant connectively therefore
users are not charged for how long they are
online, since this time is unlimited.

22. Questions
1.What is i-mode?
2.TLP stands for
3.Comparison b/w i-mode & wap?
4.What is the disadvantage of i-mode?
5.Functions of i-mode server