John,
what you are writing in the introduction is only partially
correct. It is true that imode is essentially based on
IP (internet protocol), and in principle an imode handset
can view all accessible internet sites, and a PC based browser
can in principle view imode sites.
However, as you may know a large part of the "internet" is
not freely accessible but behind corporate firewalls and
hidden to the population at large. In the same way, normally
you will not be able to access the DoCoMo menu, or the
DoCoMo "official" sites from anything except a DoCoMo
handset or something which pretends to be one.
It's DoCoMo (in case of the official menu) and
the information service providers which install various
measures to allow access only to browsers they
identify as DoCoMo handsets. DoCoMo can go even further:
they know the location of every switched on handset and
it's ID. So in principle they can/could deny access to anything
which does not have a valid (and bills paid) handset ID in
the correct geographical location.
What GPRS carriers in other countries do is essentially
up to them, or up to the regulatory authorities in case
these decide to make rules about what kind of restrictions
are legal or not. Technically, it is perfectly possible
to implement all sorts of access controls. Whether it makes
commercial sense and/or whether it's legal is another matter.
Gerhard Fasol
http://www.eurotechnology.com/imode/faq.html
John Floss wrote:
>
> Hi folks,
> Ok, here's something that is stumping me, so please go
> easy on me as I know it's probably an easy answer:
>
> On Jphone and i-mode, the content (i.e. websites) are
> viewable over the phone AND over a normal web browser
> (though through a browser things might look odd with
> the c-html).
>
> Now, if I am NOT an i-mode registered/bonafide i-mode
> provider, i-mode folks can still get to my site by
> typing in the url, right? yes. It might be a little
> more difficult for users as my site is not one of the
> sites accepted by the venerable docomo corporation
> (what the heck does it take to be a member of their
> elite crew of sites anyway...) but nonetheless, users
> can reach my site by typing in the url.
>
> Now, here is my problem: What About GPRS? Does anyone
> know if a GPRS handset user in another country can
> easily access NON-accepted sites from their own
> telecom provider? I am planning on launching some
> sites in China and Taiwan when GPRS is in full effect
> and some people have told me that if I am NOT a member
> of China's or Taiwan's ELITE crew of accepted sites,
> users WILL NOT be able to see my site. This sounds
> incorrect asd I assume users can just type in any URL
> and go visit those sites (as long as they are using
> code viewable by the respective handset browser).
>
> Can anybody shed light on this GPRS handset issue?
>
> Thank you for your time.
>
> J.F.
>
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Received on Tue Jul 3 08:54:36 2001