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Press Releases
2004.08.31

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ACCESS NetFront™ Browser Powers First 3G Smart-Card Handset from NTT DoCoMo

Deployment Reinforces ACCESS’ Commitment to Advanced Handset-Based Mobile Wallet Technologies and Services

TOKYO, Japan / FREMONT, USA / Oberhausen, Germany – August 31, 2004 – ACCESS Co., Ltd., (Tokyo Stock Exchange: 4813), a global provider of mobile content delivery and Internet access technologies, today announced that its NetFront browser was selected for deployment in NTT DoCoMo’s 3G FOMA F900iC handset. The F900iC handset, which became available on August 7, 2004, is the first 3G smart-card handset that is compatible with NTT DoCoMo’s i-mode FeliCa smart-card service.

ACCESS worked closely with NTT DoCoMo to jointly develop the NetFront browser solution for the FOMA 900i series, and the solution has since been bundled in all FOMA 900i series handsets, including the 900iT, 900iV, and 900iS. The FOMA 900i series deployment continues the success of NetFront browser technology with NTT DoCoMo’s i-mode service. ACCESS’ NetFront browser has been the browser selection of choice since the launch of the first i-mode handsets in 1999.

NTT DoCoMo’s new FeliCa smart-card service and FeliCa-enabled handsets can be used for a variety of applications, previously only possible with smart-cards, including ticket purchasing, debit and credit card transactions, personal identification, and building access. Smart-card handsets allow consumers to enjoy advanced mobile wallet services at locations, including train stations, airports, movie theatres and retail stores.

“NTT DoCoMo continues to push the technology envelope in the mobile market as demonstrated by the deployment of handsets that integrate smart-card functionality, thus enabling advanced mobile wallet services,” said Toru Arakawa, president and CEO of ACCESS. “Our support of NTT DoCoMo’s smart-card handsets and services is a clear testament of ACCESS’ commitment to build and promote a truly pervasive Internet that enables unprecedented mobile services.”

About NetFront
NetFront recently surpassed over 126 million deployments globally that include 280 unique devices ranging from mobile phones and PDAs to digital televisions, gaming consoles, and automobile telematics systems from 90 major Internet device manufacturers. NetFront supports a wider range of operating systems than any competing browser including solutions for Palm® OS, Symbian OS, Linux OS, Windows Mobile/PocketPC and mobile handset environments like BREW. NetFront browser technology is used by the world’s leading mobile operators, software providers and electronics manufacturers including Adobe, Alpine, AT&T Wireless, China Mobile, China Unicom, Handspring, Hutchinson 3G Group, IBM, KDDI, NEC, NTT DoCoMo, PalmSource, Samsung, SANYO, Sharp, Sony and more.

About ACCESS
ACCESS Co. Ltd. (Tokyo Stock Exchange: 4813) is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, with offices throughout the world including major centers in the U.S., Germany, and China. ACCESS is a leading global provider of mobile Internet technologies and consultation services for the beyond-PC market. ACCESS’ NetFront browser technology powers 280 different commercial products worldwide including mobile phones, digital televisions, set-top boxes, game consoles, PDAs, car navigation systems, web phones, kiosk terminals and intranet terminals. ACCESS’ NetFront browser technology is most widely deployed in mobile phones for NTT DoCoMo’s popular i-mode and FOMA services. To date, over 126 million ACCESS software licenses have shipped from more than 90 major Internet device manufactures. ACCESS was listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Mothers market on February 26, 2001. More information is available at www.access.co.jp/english/ or www.access-us-inc.com.


ACCESS is a registered trademark in Japan. NetFront and Compact NetFront are registered trademarks of ACCESS Co., Ltd. in Japan. FOMA and i-mode are trademarks or registered trademarks of NTT DoCoMo, Inc. in Japan and in other countries. NTT DoCoMo’s FOMA service is available only to subscribers in Japan. FeliCa is a contactless IC chip technology developed by Sony Corporation. FeliCa is a registered trademark of Sony Corporation. All other trademarks belong to their respective owners.

Contacts

Asia Contact:
ACCESS Co., Ltd., Japan
Kazunori Takahashi
81 (3) 5259-3685
prinfo@access.co.jpcom
China Contact:
Access China Inc.
Delia Liu
+86 (10) 6566-9636
delia.liu@accesschina.com.cn
Europe Contact:
ACCESS Systems Europe GmbH
Claudia Hoeck
49 (208) 8290-6432
hoeck@access-sys-eu.com
US Contacts:
ACCESS Co., Ltd. U.S. Branch
Manuel Morales
(510) 284-0708
mmorales@access-us-inc.com
Bite Communications Anne-miek Hamelinck
(415) 365-0395
annemiek.hamelinck@bitepr.com