3G service helps Japanese consumers to remotely control home electric appliances

What is a good way to increase the number of 3G lines for an operator in the nearly saturated market? NTT DoCoMo might have found the answer. At least, the wireless carrier decided to promote a gadget with a weird name Remocon Saucer that works with DoCoMo’s 3G phones to control up to eight home electric appliances from outside.

How it works?
Manufactured by Sugiyama Electron the Remocon Saucer uses infrared connectivity to turn on and off electric devices at home. To do that, users need to be subscribed to two DoCoMo FOMA phones – one to be connected via the headset jack to the saucer at home and the second one to make calls. While outside, the user can dial the number of the phone connected to the saucer at home and when the connection is established he can press the pre-programmed keys on his phone to switch on the air conditioner for example. Moreover, the user can initiate a video call and monitor the situation at home, making sure he really turned off that cattle on the stove.

The usage scenarios
The companies envision the following real-life usage scenarios:

• Before returning home, you can remotely switch on the air conditioner to warm up the apartment
• While on a lengthy business trip, you could create an impression that you never left the house by turning the lights on in the evening and getting the TV on. I bet this could come in handy for that kid from Home Alone movie.

Value
To sweeten the deal DoCoMo offers a discounted service plan, which is only 200 yen ($1.68) more expensive than the single line plan. The Remocon Saucer plan will cost 4,340 yen ($36) for two lines, including data communications. The saucer itself will come up with the 12,000-yen ($86) price tag.

To sum up, the service might be useful in some real-life situations and the price is attractive, but it lacks the practicality and mass-market appeal, thus it will have a limited uptake, targeting at niche segments. After all, it is a waste to keep a 3G handset sitting at home, doing some simple pre-programmed operations. They should equip the saucer with a camera and 3G chipset to do the work.

DoCoMo's Remocon Saucer Promotional Page