TOKYO, Oct. 20, 2008 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Internet Initiative Japan, Inc., (IIJ) (Nasdaq:IIJI) (TSE1:3774), one of Japan's leading Internet access and comprehensive network solutions providers, today announced that IIJ has been providing network infrastructure to kabu.com Securities Co., Ltd. (kabu.com) (TSE1:8703) for use in the industry's first mobile vehicle sales office, developed by kabu.com, which was launched on October 10, 2008.
Service description
IIJ is providing kabu.com with network infrastructure consisting of IIJ Mobile, a corporate high-speed communications service, using the 3G/HSDPA network, coupled with IIJ's proprietary network service management solution, IIJ SMF sx Service(1). A service adapter with a data communications card is installed in the mobile vehicle to create a high-speed Internet environment.
This service has the following benefits:
* A mobile high-speed Internet environment This arrangement provides a 3G mobile communications network with a maximum 7.2 Mbps, high-speed Internet connectivity. This enables kabu.com to provide a variety of Internet-based, value-added services to customers that come to the mobile vehicle sales office. * Automation of network construction and operation From initial configuration to operation, the necessary steps are implemented centrally through the special Web interface of the IIJ SMF sx Service, which automates the entire process from network construction to operation. After inserting the data communications card into the service adapter, all the required configurations are performed automatically over the mobile network, and all operational duties can be performed centrally, even for mobile vehicles that are constantly on the move and outside the reach of administrative personnel. * A secure communications environment All service adapter configuration data is centrally managed on a server on IIJ's network, and none of the service adapter settings can be changed from within the sales office. This means there is no risk of tampering by unauthorized persons. When the power is shut off, the settings on the unit are initialized, so that even in the event that a service adapter is stolen from the vehicle, the customer's network information remains secure.
Background
In anticipation of the computerization of stock certificates starting in January 2009, kabu.com would like to reach out to those customers who couldn't be reached by their online trading services, and to bolster its service lineup for existing customers, and so it launched a mobile stock brokerage service with the industry's first mobile vehicle sales office. An important feature of this curb-side store is the ability to provide real-time stock ticker and stock market information, which requires a high-speed network environment to support information access in this unique mobile environment. kabu.com is a long-time user of IIJ's Internet connectivity service, and they truly value IIJ's quality and technological strength. IIJ was selected for this project for its technological expertise and its unique automatic network connectivity via the mobile network.
IIJ will continue to provide highly reliable infrastructure and support kabu.com's mobile vehicle sales office business.
(1) IIJ SMFsx Service:
A centralized network management system developed by IIJ and based on the SEIL Management Framework (SMF). This system enables centralized network management, from configuring network devices to administration and management.
About IIJ
Founded in 1992, Internet Initiative Japan Inc. (IIJ) (Nasdaq:IIJI) (Tokyo Stock Exchange TSE1: 3774) is one of Japan's leading Internet-access and comprehensive network solutions providers. IIJ and its group of companies provide total network solutions that mainly cater to high-end corporate customers. The company's services include high-quality systems integration and security services, Internet access, hosting/housing, and content design. Moreover, the company has built one of the largest Internet backbone networks in Japan, and between Japan and the United States. IIJ was listed on NASDAQ in 1999 and on the First Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange in 2006. For more information about IIJ, visit the IIJ Web site at http://www.iij.ad.jp/en/.
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The statements within this release contain forward-looking statements about our future plans that involve risk and uncertainty. These statements may differ materially from actual future events or results. Readers are referred to the documents furnished by Internet Initiative Japan Inc. with the SEC, specifically the most recent reports on Forms 20-F and 6-K, which identify important risk factors that could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements.