Press Releases

Oki Electric and ACCESS Establish a New Company to Develop Software for Next Generation Mobile Terminals

Tokyo, Japan, October 17, 2005 － Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd. (TSE: 6703) and ACCESS Co., Ltd. (TSE: 4813) today announced the joint establishment of OKI ACCESS Technologies, Co., Ltd., a new company focused on developing voice and video media package products for next generation mobile terminals. The company will begin operations on November 1, 2005. OKI ACCESS Technologies will develop advanced software suite products that will reduce development costs, increase development speed and improve development quality.

The two companies have been developing products utilizing IP technologies based on an agreement signed in June 2005. With upcoming multimedia applications based on IP, demand for solution platforms to connect high-quality browser functions with high-quality sound and high-definition video, have been increasing. Such platforms enable, for example, users to conduct mobile commerce and purchase items via voice and video, to exchange real-time presence information, and to access company information systems in a mobile environment.

“OKI ACCESS Technologies will accelerate the development of products that combine both Oki’s strength in high-quality, high-performance voice and video with ACCESS’ mobile software suite. We will provide media platform products for next generation mobile terminals, as the IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) related market is expected to grow,” said Takashi Hattori, Group Operating Officer of Systems Network Business Group and Senior Vice President at Oki Electric. “These solution products will be provided to Japanese and overseas telecom carriers and information terminal manufacturers.”

“OKI ACCESS Technologies will focus on the development of Internet software suite solutions that support high-quality sound and high-definition video, paving the way for advanced new mobile services that include multimedia based mobile solutions for consumers and business,” said Toru Arakawa, president and CEO of ACCESS. “We are pleased to partner with Oki on the development of an advanced solution that seamlessly integrates Internet browsing, messaging, and high quality voice and video.”

[Strengths of OKI ACCESS Technologies, Ltd.]
By combing the technologies and solutions of Oki and ACCESS, OKI ACCESS Technologies can provide a new triple-play(integration of data, voice, and video)-type mobile solutions that is necessary in the IMS area.

ACCESS has abundant experience in embedding high-performance functions into mobile terminals, including browser functions. NetFront^® Mobile Client Suite is a software suite for mobile terminals that has a modular structure with high expandability, and a flexible structure that is OS and CPU independent. Because it is a software suite that integrates major software including browser, messaging, and Java^™, it enables to reduce the development cost and development time of next generation mobile terminals.

On the other hand, Oki has strong track record and know-how in establishing large-scale IP telephony systems and video delivery systems. It has been providing VoIP products based on its core “eSound” (excellent sound) technology, and high quality VOD (Voice on Demand) products and video communication products with MPEG4/H.264. Oki has been providing various industry-leading products, which are highly evaluated from its customers.

By combining the next generation software suite featured mobile terminal with “IP CONVERGENCE^® Server SS9100,” Oki’s IP telephony server, and “SipAs^™ on WebLogic,” Oki’s J2EE application server for SIP, users can enjoy a mobile business environment and an IMS environment.

About OKI ACCESS Technologies Co., Ltd.
Location: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan
Capital: 100 million yen (Oki Electric: 51%, ACCESS 49%)
Establishment: November 1, 2005
President: Osamu Nakazawa
Employee: Approx. 20

About Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd.
Founded in 1881, Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd. is Japan’s first telecommunications manufacturer, with its headquarters in Tokyo, Japan. With the corporate vision, “Oki, Network Solutions for a Global Society,” Oki provides top-quality products, technologies and solutions to its customers through its info-telecom system business, semiconductor business and printer business. All three businesses functions as a collective force to create exciting new products and technologies that satisfy a spectrum of customer needs in various markets. Visit Oki’s global web site at www.oki.com/.

About ACCESS
ACCESS is a global provider of mobile content delivery and Internet access technologies to the beyond-PC market. Its NetFront browser, widely recognized as one of the most advanced Internet browsers in the world, is a cornerstone to the company’s vision of making the ubiquitous Internet a reality. NetFront technologies are delivering full Internet browsing and related services to next-generation mobile devices and consumer electronics ranging from digital TV to automobile telematics. For more information: www.access.co.jp or www.access-us-inc.com.