[2008-08-15]

Co-develop stadium IT technology and mobile-related services with Grenoble Foot 38, the French professional football team promoted to Ligue 1 in the French football league system.
Develop a mobile phone business aimed at European football fans.

The French professional football team Grenoble Foot 38 (Head office: Grenoble, France), owned by Index Holdings (Masami Ochiai, President & Representative Director, Head office: Setagaya-ku, Tokyo, hereinafter “Index HD”) has been promoted to Ligue 1 from this season. The team scored a dramatic win in the season’s first match against Sochaux on August 9, becoming the focus of attention in the world of football in France.

Index HD acquired Grenoble Foot 38, which was in Ligue 2, in October 2004 with the aim of enhancing the IT-related sports business. As part of this, it provided the IT technology for a new stadium constructed by the City of Grenoble. On February 15, 2008, the football stadium Stade des Alpes was completed, utilizing the latest non-contact IC card technology. In addition, the Index Group has made use of its extensive knowledge of IT in various co-ventures, including the establishment and operation of the mobile site of Grenoble Foot 38, the further enhancement of IT services at the stadium, and the introduction of IT systems for the 2018 Olympic Winter Games.

Currently European football clubs are looking for sources of income other than television broadcasting rights and have high expectations, particularly with regard to setting up and obtaining income from businesses utilizing mobile phones. The promotion of Grenoble Foot 38 to Ligue 1 has resulted in stronger relationships with league-related people and the presidents of other clubs. With the establishment of mobile business proposals for other European football clubs, the Index Group, with its ongoing mobile phone business with Grenoble Foot 38, is attracting a great deal of attention.

The mobile phone business aimed at European football fans
The Index Group, with its experience in providing IT technology to Grenoble Foot 38 and the support of other clubs, will launch the official Mobile Virtual Network Enabler (MVNE) business for each football club.
The earnings model of the MVNE business involves sharing the profits earned from part of the mobile usage charge paid by the supporters between the club and the Index Group. Usually, a minimum of 30,000 supporters is said to be necessary to support this business. The solution provided by the Index Group for the use of MVNE can be established with as few as 1,000 supporters, making it possible for it to be introduced by even the smaller European clubs.
(It is said that there are approximately 170 million supporters of major European football clubs in total.)

In addition, the IT technology used in Grenoble Foot 38’s new stadium, Stade des Alpes, has been standardized, and can be provided to other clubs when their stadiums are refurbished, repaired or constructed. The provision of this technology will result in royalty income.

1) Access Control System
It is now possible to identify hooligans using monitor cameras installed at the entrance to assure safe control within the stadium.
This results in a stadium where the family, including women and children, can safely enjoy the match.
2) Large IT Vision
Access from mobile phones before the match and during half time allows messages of support to be shown on the large IT Vision screen.
It is possible to set up a chargeable business based on access made from mobile phones, as well as providing a variety of entertainment inside the stadium.
3) LED Advertising Boards
Can be accessed not only by the spectators in the stadium, but from the mobile phones of people watching the match on TV.


The success of Grenoble Foot 38 in Ligue 1
The team achieved a dramatic win against Sochaux in its first game on August 9. The second game will be played at the team’s home ground of Stade des Alpes on August 17 against Rennes, which we hope will result in its second consecutive win with enthusiastic support of local fans. This season’s team target is to remain securely in Ligue 1, and by becoming a regular Ligue 1 team, develop into a team that can play in the Champion’s League. Achieving this will enhance the value of Grenoble Foot 38 considerably.
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■ Statement of Elation
Kazutoshi Watanabe, Chairman, Grenoble Foot 38 (Director, Index Holdings, Managing Director, Index Corporation)
“Will Grenoble Foot 38 be able to play in Ligue 1 It must!” This is what I was thinking before the first match. Playing with only two new team members with the remaining players being existing members, and winning, proved that Grenoble Foot 38 can certainly play well in Ligue 1. I am elated. There will be several other veteran players joining the team from now on. I am thrilled at the prospect of how strong the team will become.
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The Index Group will support the growth and development of Grenoble Foot 38 together with the City of Grenoble and the fans. Please keep watch over the success of the team in Ligue 1.

About Grenoble Foot 38 (www.gf38.fr/jp/)
In Grenoble Foot 38, which Index HD acquired in October 2004, there is a Japanese player, Sho Ito, and the team is becoming noticed by football fans in Japan. In addition, Hidetaka Ubagai, known as the person who appointed the former manager of the national football team of Japan, Ivan Osim, has been in the position of General Manager since March 2007. The far-reaching personal connection of Ubagai and his outstanding scouting abilities have contributed greatly to the promotion of Grenoble Foot 38 to Ligue 1. With the promotion, the team will further aim to enhance its strength and continue to maintain a good record in Ligue 1. Stay tuned for further developments.

About the new stadium Stade des Alpes
The new stadium Stade des Alpes, which opened on February 15, 2008, was constructed by the local government for the exclusive use of Grenoble Foot 38. The Index Group, with the full cooperation of the local government, provided enhanced security measures and fan communication measures, the issue of non-contact IC membership cards and various other IT technologies. Stade des Alpes is the latest dedicated football stadium with a capacity of 20,000, incorporating a variety of facilities and concepts.

■　The latest security system
With a target of achieving 40% attendance by women and children by 2010, 26 additional cameras have been installed in addition to the usual stadium cameras to ensure that the family can enjoy the match safely. The cameras are used to monitor the entire stadium. Together with the non-contact IC card, they prevent the entry of blacklisted people, and the security guards stationed at the gates can check information regarding blacklisted people using the PDAs they carry.

■　 Introduction of non-contact IC membership card allows a single card to be used for entry and payment
Ticketless entry is now possible with the issue of non-contact IC membership cards. Entry into the stadium is granted by scanning the card at the entry gates. All tickets for matches played after March 14 will be non-contact IC capable cards, which will alleviate congestion at the entry gates and simplify the management of customer information. With the incorporation of e-money, they can be used to pay fares on buses and trams, and also to make payments at refreshment stands and souvenir shops within the stadium. A single membership card can be used for public transport, entry to the stadium and payments within the stadium, providing a high level of convenience.

■　 In-stadium network for communicating with fans
Who will be the MVP Who will score a goal Using the Short Messaging Service on mobile phones, votes will be collated and displayed on the large Vision screen inside the stadium.