Walt Disney with Mobile Service for Japanese Consumers

Walt Disney (NYSE:DIS) is not exactly a name that pops in to our mind when we think of mobile phone. Well, Disney has something called Disney Mobile and they were not so successful in the US. In fact, Disney bosses have realized that Japan was a better market for mobile service than the US or Europe. So, Disney has now focused on Japanese mobile phone market.

AFP wrote:

Walt Disney Japan, the local unit of Walt Disney Co., released three types of mobiles, made by Sharp, all covered with silhouette patterns of Mickey Mouse.

They also have a special online feature that allows subscribers to jump to Disney websites, while Disney's iconic characters can be used on standby screens and to decorate e-mails free of charge.

Walt Disney Japan has teamed up with Softbank, an Internet conglomerate and one of the nation's three mobile giants, leasing part of the networks and outlets owned by the Japanese firm.

Disney has become Japan's first so-called mobile virtual network operator (MVNO), or a company that buys capacity from another firm to provide cellphone services.

Disney has done a good thing here. Japan is one of the top markets of mobile phone. In fact, in Japan, almost everyone has a mobile phone and I don’t need to remind is you that Japan is one of the top 3 richest countries in the world. So, Japanese people can afford to spend money on mobile phone related services.