Disney, Softbank Team on Branded Phone Service in Japan

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on March 3, 2008 - 2:16pm.

Tokyo - Disney (NYSE: DIS) has partnered with Softbank to launch a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) service in Japan, featuring handsets manufactured by Sharp that feature Mickey Mouse and buttons that lead directly to Disney content, AFP reports. The launch of a Disney-branded MVNO service in Japan follows several unsuccessful similar efforts in the U.S., with the failed Disney Mobile and ESPN Mobile services.