Sharp Corporation made waves anew in digital technology, this time teaming up with Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications Japan, Inc. (SEMCJ) to co-develop the base software and share selected hardware for 3G FOMA (Freedom of Multimedia Access) mobile phones for NTT DoCoMo, Inc. of Japan. Using the Symbian OS™ as basis for software development, Sharp and SEMCJ will work together in developing a new software for FOMA phones. Symbian OS is a global industry standard operating system for advanced, data-enabled mobile phones. It has built a strong track record in accelerating development speed, reducing cost, and increasing quality of high-end features such as multi-media and entertainment functions. Close to 20 million Symbian OS-based mobile phones have been sold to date. FOMA is DoCoMo's brand name for 3G, which is the new generation wireless communications technology that aims to provide universal, high-speed, high-bandwidth wireless services supporting a variety of advanced applications. Before 3G, there was analog system, which was replaced by digital technology.

Aside from the software development, Sharp and SEMCJ will also share some selected hardware, hoping to establish an efficient development environment during the course of the project.. As a result of this co-developed technology for mobile phones, both Sharp and SEMCJ plan to create appealing, attractive, and high-quality FOMA phones unique to each brand.

"We are very pleased to work with Sony Ericsson Mobile Communication Japan, Inc.," said Masafumi Matsumoto, Corporate Executive Director and Group General Manager of Communications Systems Group, Sharp Corporation. "Through this agreement, we look forward to working with SEMCJ to develop the base software for new products so we can launch exciting new Sharp handsets to the market."

Details about the co-development of the new base software have yet to be finalized. Schedule for the development of new phones will be decided on in conjunction with NTT DoCoMo, Inc.