TOKYO, JAPAN - NTT Communications Corporation (NTT Com) and Mitsubishi Electric Corporation announced today that they have started field testing two services to verify and evaluate the technical aspects and operability of technologies for highly simplified, safe and secure use of networked home appliances and devices. The technologies, which are based on standardized interfaces and do not require dedicated appliances, are expected to find applications incorporating a wide variety of products.

The technologies include an applications platform that simplifies the configuration of multiple devices on a home network, the platform being based on specifications set by the OSGi Alliance, an open standards organization for service platforms, and a device authentication technology for the secure exchange of information over an encrypted path between a home gateway and server system.

NTT Com and Mitsubishi Electric co-developed the technologies under a three-year, publicly sponsored project to promote the development of network appliances, which the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications will conduct until the end of 2008.

One of the two services sends a mobile phone email to alert a user that a TV program they wish to see is about to start. In the test, monitors showing commercials for TV programs have been set up in the lobbies of four offices maintained by NTT Com, Mitsubishi Electric and Nippon Television Network Corporation in Greater Tokyo. When someone sees a commercial for a program that interests them, they wave a phone equipped for Osaifu-Keitai™ mobile wallet services over a reader/writer connected to the monitor. Later, the service will send the user an e-mail reminder about the program prior to its airing. After the program, a short questionnaire about the program will be sent to the user’s mobile phone, to which the user can respond voluntarily (see attachment). The service will be tested until December 12.

The other service is for an existing 24/7 monitoring system that enables the care personnel of Safety Service Center Co., Ltd. to remotely monitor the well-being of live-alone elderly. Under the existing service users have had to manually contact the center in an emergency, but the new service uses vibration sensors on doors, refrigerators, etc., or in some cases even cameras, to monitor the person’s movements and health-related habits, such as opening their refrigerator (see attachment). Data is sent to the center via a secure network incorporating device authentication. If a problem is ever suspected, personnel at the center can quickly contact the person via telephone or wireless device. The service will be tested in Nerima city, Tokyo and Kashiwa city, Chiba Prefecture from early December to late January.

Following the field tests, NTT Com and Mitsubishi Electric will report the results, including system load, response time and other details, to promote further standardization of networked appliances.

About NTT Communications Corporation
NTT Com delivers high-quality voice, data and IP services to customers around the world. The company is renowned for its diverse information and communication services, expertise in managed networks, hosting and IP networking services, and industry leadership in IPv6 transit technology. The company’s extensive global infrastructure includes Arcstar™ private networks and a Tier 1 IP backbone (connected with major ISPs worldwide), both reaching more than 150 countries, as well as secure data centers in Asia, North America and Europe. NTT Com is the wholly owned subsidiary of Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation, one of the world’s largest telecoms with listings on the Tokyo, London and New York stock exchanges. Please visit www.ntt.com.