ACCESS to Develop Integrated Operator Pack with NTT DoCoMo

* ACCESS Integrates ACCESS Linux Platform with Operator Pack for NTT DoCoMo Handsets


Tokyo, Japan, April 2008 – ACCESS CO., LTD., a global provider of advanced software technologies to the mobile and beyond-PC markets, announced today that ACCESS Linux Platform™ has been selected by NTT DoCoMo, Inc. as a shared Linux® platform; together, the companies will co-develop an integrated application package, or operator pack, that supports unique NTT DoCoMo services.

ACCESS Linux Platform is an open, flexible and scalable shared Linux-based platform that enables the creation of world-class mobile phones. Through the ACCESS Linux Platform™ Development Suite (SDK and Tools), ACCESS enriches the ACCESS Linux Platform with a development environment supported by the Linux community. Thus, ACCESS Linux Platform enables custom-tailored operator packs with carrier-specific applications. ACCESS Linux Platform will support specifications established by the LiMo Foundation™ (LiMo™), an independent, non-profit foundation established with the aim of promoting the use of Linux by the mobile industry. ACCESS is committed to creating services unique to each carrier, and through further improvements in quality and development efficiency, endeavors to support handset makers’ global market development by stimulating the creation of a full spectrum of products.

In December 2007, ACCESS signed a memorandum of understanding with NTT DoCoMo, NEC Corp., Panasonic Mobile Communications Co., Ltd., and ESTEEMO Co., Ltd. to study the use of ACCESS Linux Platform as the basis for developing a shared Linux platform and NTT DoCoMo operator pack. ACCESS has officially commenced working with NTT　DoCoMo to co-develop an operator pack integrating ACCESS Linux Platform; NTT DoCoMo intends to begin releasing products in the second half of fiscal year 2009. Development and integration of ACCESS Linux Platform with the operator pack for NTT DoCoMo’s FOMA™ 3G handsets will enable greater development efficiency for high-performance handsets and faster market launches.

“The development by ACCESS of a global shared platform that conforms to the LiMo specification is significant for DoCoMo as well,” said Kiyohito Nagata, senior vice president, managing director of Product Department, Products & Services, NTT DoCoMo. “The operator pack promoted by NTT DoCoMo also conforms to the LiMo platform specification; we expect it to aid not only NTT DoCoMo’s business, but also global development by ACCESS and handset makers, as well as the creation of an ecosystem.”

“NTT DoCoMo’s selection of ACCESS Linux Platform, which also has been adopted by Orange, as the shared platform supporting global specifications and its integration with the operator pack will promote growth in next-generation Linux handsets – not only in Japan, but in the global market as well,” said Toru Arakawa, CEO, president and co-founder of ACCESS. “In this way, ACCESS will continue contributing to the efficient development of increasingly complex software, as well as timely market launches.”