Disney & Softbank to Launch Cell Phone Service in Japan

Disney is resurrecting Disney Mobile by moving it to another market. Disney announced today it and Softbank Corp. have agreed to launch a mobile phone service in Japan. Disney hopes to use its popular characters to grab a piece of Japan's hyper competitive mobile phone market.

Disney announced last September that its Walt Disney Internet Group (WDIG) will cease operations of its U.S.-based mobile virtual network (MVNO) phone service later this year (after starting it in April 2006).
Disney had announced it will instead explore a new business model for its content and services that might include offering its popular Family Center product through a partnership with a major U.S. carrier. It seems Disney opened up its exploration for partnerships to the international market by teaming up with Softbank.

Walt Disney Japan and Softbank also announced they have applied to the Japan's communications ministry to start "Disney Mobile" in spring 2008 by leasing networks from Softbank Mobile. Disney, a major studio and television operator best known for iconic characters such as Mickey Mouse, is expected to use its cartoons to design handsets and to offer exclusive multimedia content to subscribers.


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Disney & Softbank to Launch Cell Phone Service in Japan

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