Over Six Million J-PHONE "Sha-mail" Wireless Handsets Now in Use

J-PHONE announced that as of August 9, 2002, the number of "Sha-mail" units (picture messaging enabled handsets equipped with mobile cameras) exceeded the six million mark. Since topping five million at the end of May 2002, "Sha-mail" subscribers have increased by one million in approximately two months, bringing the number of "Sha-mail" users to 47% of J-PHONE's total subscriber base. Pictured is the Sharp J-SH09 Sha-mail mobile. For full details of this mobile See Here

The rapid growth of "Sha-mail" can be attributed to the following:

1. Penetration of "Sha-mail" communications J-PHONE began its service called "Sha-Mail" in June 2001 where a subscriber can take a "Sha-mail" picture with a mobile camera and send it as an e-mail attachment. Attracted to its ease-of-use, greater numbers of customers have recognized the "Sha-mail" brand and learned how to use the service. As a result, the number of "Sha-Mail" handsets in use has continued to expand at a rapid pace. In addition to being able to send pictures to other J-PHONE users, with the commencement of J-PHONE's "@sha-mail" service, users are now able to send photos to subscribers of other mobile operators in Japan. Furthermore, on July 1, J-PHONE further expanded "Sha-mail" communication possibilities by introducing its "@sha-mail album" service, which allows users to save photos on the J-SKY Internet service so they can create and display their original albums.

2. Extensive lineup of "Sha-mail" handsets"
J-PHONE now has a lineup of 18* different types of "Sha-mail" photo-capable handsets, the most in the industry, and also offers four "Movie Sha-mail" (video messaging) handsets. Subscribers can choose from among a wide variety of handsets, including clam-shell and straight handsets with mobile cameras that offer zooming, frame setting and other photographic functions.

3. From "Sha-mail" to "Movie Sha-mail"
With the start of its mobile packet data service, J-PHONE marked another milestone in mobile communications by launching "Movie Sha-mail," a service which enables users to send and receive e-mails with attachments containing audio/video messages of up to five seconds in length, thereby offering expanded possibilities for expression.

*Includes the J-SH09, announced on July 30 and scheduled for sale from late August.