Google is partnering with KDDI to offer a special version of Gmail to its customers.
KDDI is Japan's second-largest mobile operator, and starting in September, its subscribers will be able to use a re-branded version of Gmial on mobile handsets and PCs. The service will be called Au One Mail, and will be a free offering for KDDI users. While Google has a good stronghold in the search market, it's lagging behind Yahoo Japan Corp. in the email arena, among other areas.
This partnership with KDDI could catapult Google's Gmail to a position that will better compete with Yahoo, as Yahoo Japan is run by Softbank Corp, which holds the number three slot for the country's short list of prominent mobile operators. There won't be many changes to the Gmail service as the new brand Au One Mail, which is generally good for Google, from an operational and branding standpoint.
Google is taking its partnerships pretty seriously when it comes to moving further into mobile territory. It's deal with Sprint Nextel for a collaborative effort on the WiMax project could change around a few rules when it comes to Google dominance and provisions with other mobile networks, for search and applications.