Wireless Mesh Provides Cost Effective Solution at Japan's Longest Covered
Shopping Arcade
TOKYO, Oct. 2 /CNW/ - Takamatsu City Shopping Arcade, the longest covered
shopping mall in Japan, is trialing Nortel(x) (NYSE/TSX: NT) wireless broadband
technology to provide mobile Internet access, VoIP and smart card transactions
for businesses and customers.
Nortel's Wireless Mesh Network will enable instant transfer of
transaction data for the new IruCa smart card - a fare collection system for
the Takamatsu-Kotohira Electric Railroad (KOTODEN) that can also be used for
shopping as well as for bus and train travel. The Nortel solution will also
provide high-speed wireless Internet access and VoIP services in the 2.7-km,
800-business arcade for wireless-enabled laptops and other communications
devices such as PDAs. Nortel is working with channel partner NextCom in
deploying and integrating the system for the Takamatsu trial.
"The use of smart cards for transport and shopping is a growing trend in
Japan as the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) begins looking at
widespread adoption of the technology for a broad range of commercial and
e-government services such as drivers' licenses and passports," said Nick
Vreugdenhil, president, Japan, Nortel. "Takamatsu City Shopping Arcade
selected Nortel's broadband wireless technology for this trial because
wireless mesh coverage offers a cost-effective alternative to wireline
infrastructure for transfer of IruCa card transaction data from the card
readers in shops to the smart card's central settlement system."
The Takamatsu wireless mesh trial is a key component in a national
"Digital Community Demonstration Experiment" project driven by METI to
continue Japan's transformation into the world's most advanced IT nation. METI
expects the Takamatsu City trial to help demonstrate how digitization can
enhance convenience of shopping and traveling within the city, and help
revitalize the economy of the Kagawa prefecture region bordering the Seto
Inland Sea.
The Digital Community Demonstration Experiment for 2006 is being managed
by Nippon Telegraph and Telephone West Corporation (NTT West) and will be
featured at the Platform Business Area of the CEATEC JAPAN 2006 industry
showcase and exhibition held 3-7 October at Tokyo's Makuhari Messe.
Nortel's Wireless Mesh Network solution uses wireless links - based on
Wi-Fi technology - to provide secure, seamless access to wireless broadband
services.
Nortel's Wireless Mesh network currently provides seamless and secure
anytime, anywhere communications for students and faculty at the University of
Tsukuba, one of Japan's major national universities. The solution was also
granted the Best of Show Award, the special award in the mobile wireless
product category, at the Interop Tokyo 2006 trade show and exhibition.
Nortel has designed, installed and launched more than 300 wireless
networks in over 70 countries. Nortel was the industry's first supplier with
wireless networks operating in all advanced radio technologies and is the only
end-to-end provider of all next generation wireless solutions. Nortel's
leadership in wireless data networks coupled with its enterprise strategy of
delivering seamless voice, data, multimedia and converged IP-enabled solutions
will allow businesses and consumers to enjoy a seamless, mobile broadband
experience.
About Nortel
Nortel is a recognized leader in delivering communications capabilities
that enhance the human experience, ignite and power global commerce, and
secure and protect the world's most critical information. Our next-generation
technologies, for both service providers and enterprises, span access and core
networks, support multimedia and business-critical applications, and help
eliminate today's barriers to efficiency, speed and performance by simplifying
networks and connecting people with information. Nortel does business in more
than 150 countries. For more information, visit Nortel on the Web at
www.nortel.com. For the latest Nortel news, visit www.nortel.com/news.
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