Presentation on i mode
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What is i mode?
NTT DoCoMo's i-mode is a wireless internet service popular in Japan. Unlike WAP, i-mode encompasses a wider variety of internet standards, including web access, e-mail 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.
i mode Server
The iMode 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.
(PDC-P) Personal Digital Cellular-Packet
iMode provides Internet service using Personal Digital Cellular-Packet (PDC-P) and a subset of HTML 3.0 for content description . iMode allows application/content providers to distribute software (Java applets) to cellular phones and also allows users to download applets (e.g., games). iMode uses packet switched technology for the wireless part of the communication and is carried over TCP/IP for the wired part of the communication.
The mobile packet communications system has a network configuration in which the packet communications function is added and integrated into DoCoMo’s Personal Digital Cellular (PDC) which is the digital system for portable and automobile telephones.
Protocols
TLP
Improved efficiency in PDC-P network over TCP (uses fewer packets to save charges)
Higher data packet ratio
No 3-way handshake, control signals can piggyback data
ALP
Supports both pull (HTTP) and push style communication
Direct HTTP communication between mobile phone and iMode server
UITP (User Information Transfer Protocol) sends subscriber information from PDC-P network to iMode server
NWMP (Network Management Protocol) performs signaling
Start/end of packet communication
E.g. email delivery, push content notification
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. Rather, users are charged
only for how much information they retrieve.
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.
Security Protocols
iMode security relies on “standard” Internet security as provided by SSL(Secure Sockets Layer).
The security protocols used within the DoCoMo network and over the air are proprietary protocols that run over SSL (using the packet switched capabilities of the DoCoMo network). iMode recently adopted SSL (in March, 2001).
Before this, iMode provided ‘only air interface security’.
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 to 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.