Adam Leach
Will Access become DoCoMo's Linux platform?
Access has announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding between NTT DoCoMo, NEC, Panasonic and ESTEEMO, the purpose of which is to study the feasibility of using the Access Linux Platform (ALP) as the basis of a shared software platform for Linux-based mobile phones to be used by each of the companies.The 'shared platform' will be based on converging DoCoMo's existing Linux platform, MOAP(L) (Mobile Oriented Application Platform based on Linux) with Access's own Linux platform, ALP.The study will also look at compatibility with a third platform currently being defined by the LiMo Foundation. The LiMo Foundation was announced mid-2006 and was founded by NTT DoCoMo, Vodafone, Samsung, Motorola, Panasonic and NEC. Its vision is to produce a Linux-based software platform for mobile phones.Comment: DoCoMo has been looking for a way to decrease its ever growing cost of ownership of MOAP(L) and provide its OEM partners with a software platform which can be used as a basis for handsets that can be marketed outside of Japan. Economically it is challenging for Japanese OEMs to deliver handsets that meet DoCoMo's high specifications with the volumes achievable within the Japanese market. Japanese OEMs need to leverage the investment in software by re-using it in devices outside of Japan.To achieve this DoCoMo needs to migrate from MOAP(L) to an accepted global standard as OEMs outside of Japan have shown no interest in adopting MOAP(L).The challenge that DoCoMo faces is that there is currently no global standard for mobile Linux; instead there are a number of high profile competing initiatives all within early stages of development. The initiatives include the LiMo Foundation, Linux Phone Standards Forum (LiPS) and the Open Handset Alliance (OHA). DoCoMo is quite rightly hedging its bets and is therefore active in both LiMo, as a founder member, and in the recently announced OHA.So how does Access fit into this? ALP has so far not been deployed within a handset. It has been selected by Orange to be used in a handset due in the first half of 2008. Access is an active member of LiPS but not currently a member of LiMo or OHA.Access's non-trivial technical challenge is to show that ALP can provide a credible migration path from MOAP(L) and provide compatibility with the emerging Linux standards bodies. If it succeeds in demonstrating this flexibility while providing a consistent software platform it would be an attractive proposition for DoCoMo, as it would provide Japanese OEMs with a platform to service DoCoMo's requirements and an environment that could be accepted by other mobile operators in international markets.However, DoCoMo adopting ALP for all of its Linux-based devices will not ensure ALP's global adoption, but it will provide a much needed proving ground for the platform which will differentiate ALP from other Linux-based platforms and be invaluable when marketing the platform to other operators and OEMs.So will Access become DoCoMo's Linux platform? We believe that although this collaboration is in its early stages there is a good chance that DoCoMo will adopt ALP because it solves a number of key issues currently burdening DoCoMo and its handset suppliers using a vendor that it has had a successful relationship with.
