Microsoft Corp, Nintendo Co Ltd and Nomura Research Institute Ltd are mobilizing satellite broadcasting to bypass the inordinately expensive Japanese phone system for data broadcasting and Internet access – where the satellite link can provide only the return path. The planned joint venture, with Nintendo holding 40%, the other two 30% each, aims to start services in mid-1997 and will initially be capitalized at $10m. Subscribers will view the services on their – Windows-based – personal computers and Nintendo will develop a satellite modem board to enable the computer to decode the digital data. The up channel will be provided by the Microsoft Network, which will also be used for billing transactions. Revenue will come mainly from subscriber fees and commissions on sales from on-line shopping services.
