Definition

The imode is the NTT DoCoMo's new Internet access system. It is an advanced intelligent messaging service for digital mobile phones and other mobile terminals that will allow you to see Internet content in special text format on special imode-enabled mobile phones. Enabling information access from handheld devices requires a deep understanding of both technical and market issues that are unique to the wireless environment. The imode specification was developed by the industry's best minds to address these issues. Wireless devices represent the ultimate constrained computing device with limited CPU, memory and battery life and a simple user interface.

Wireless networks are constrained by low bandwidth, high latency and unpredictable availability and stability. The imode specification addresses these issues by using the best of existing standards and developing new extensions when needed. The imode solution leverages the tremendous investment in web servers, web development tools, web
programmers and web applications while solving the unique problems associated with the wireless domain. The specification ensures that this solution is fast, reliable and secure. The imode specification is developed and supported by the wireless telecommunication community so that the entire industry and its subscribers can benefit from a single, open specification.

NTT DoCoMo is a subsidiary of Japan's incumbent telephone operator NTT. The majority of NTT-DoCoMo's shares is owned by NTT, and the majority of NTT's shares is owned by the Japanese government. NTT-DoCoMo's shares are separately listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange and on the Osaka Stock Exchange, and NTT-DoCoMo's market value (capitalization) makes it one of the world's most valued companies.



Goals of the imode
The goals of the imode forum are listed as follows.

To bring Internet content and advanced data services to wireless phones and other
wireless terminals.

To develop a global wireless protocol specification that works across all wireless
network technologies.

To enable the creation of content and applications that scale across a wide range
of wireless bearer networks and device types, i.e. to maintain device and bearer
independence

To embrace and extend existing standards and technology whenever possible and
appropriate.



The Technology:
imode consists of three technologies:

1.a smart handset
2.a new transmission protocol
3.a new markup language.

The above mentioned three technologies together make the brand name, imode.