On November 30, NTT DOCOMO's "i -mode official website" will end at 23:59.It has been one step closer to the end of the 3G service and i -mode scheduled for 2026.
I mode started service in February 1999.At that time, on the PC, Windows 95, which appeared in 1995, supported the Internet connection as an OS standard function, but the number of users was still limited.
On the other hand, i -mode was a revolutionary service worldwide that you can enjoy content like the Internet on your mobile phone.Now, if you are in your mid -thirties or more, many people may have had their first Internet experience as a mobile phone.According to DOCOMO, in July 2010, it exceeded about 49 million contracts.
Here, I would like to talk about the memories of those days, but I have been working on website design and programming since I was a student, and it was negative for my own service provided by mobile carriers like i -mode.What I liked was the "full browser" function that accessed the same website as a personal computer on mobile phones.
At that time, early smartphones, as PDA evolved, appeared, but at that time, smartphones were just minor, and I remember that the mainstream in the world remained in i -mode and EZweb.In that sense, the spread of explosive smartphones with the appearance of iPhone and Android was far beyond my expectations and imagination.
In 2008, SoftBank launched the iPhone 3G in Japan, and a full -fledged transition from the so -called "Garakae" to smartphones began.DOCOMO ended a new reception of FOMA (3G) on September 30, 2019.On March 24, 2020, "i -mode search" ended, and on November 30, 2021, the official I mode official website ended.All 3G and i -mode will end on March 31, 2026.
Prior to DoCoMo, KDDI ends the 3G service on March 31, 2022, next spring.In order to make effective use of limited frequency, each carrier is promoting the "3G stop", and this is a commercial opportunity to encourage replacement in mobile shops.
Some people may understand that the end of the 3G service will make the so -called "Garakae" unusable.However, the mobile carrier continues to sell "mobile phones" that supports 4G, such as folding type, and even in 2021.
Now, the products sold under the name of mobile phones are customized based on Android smartphones, and the substantial contents are smartphones.However, the manufacturer is elaborate, and its operation is close to a conventional mobile phone centered on telephone and email.
These models are compatible with 4G and can be used regardless of the end of the 3G service (KDDI is only au Volte compatible models).Speaking of smartphones, terminals with shapes like iPhone are the mainstream, but those who are not familiar have the option of mobile phones.