NEC, Casio and Hitatchi to team up in mobile market

While the three Japanese electronic companies have known considerable and protracted success in their respective fields, NEC, Casio and Hitatchi have yet to successfully breach the burgeoning mobile market.

Mobile-Ent.biz has heard that the trio are to form an alliance in an effort to break new ground during the global economic recession. NEC will form the foundation, taking a 71 per cent stake in the group, while Casio will put in 20 percent and Hitatchi providing the remaining nine per cent.

Hitachi and Casio have already enjoyed a running partnership since 2004, though the addition of NEC is expected to make a significant impact on reaching the domestic and worldwide consumer.

It could also help with the inherent difficulties between the Japanese and Western mobile technology systems, which are largely incompatible and make it hard for companies to cater for both territories.

The deal, initially capitalised at 1 billion Yen, will place the partnership in the number two position behind Sharp, and in front of Panasonic.