The FastPort was a proprietary polyconnection interface used on all Sony Ericsson cellphones between 2005 and 2010, designed in response to Nokia's proprietary Pop-Port, to provide data transfer, charging, headset and speaker connections through a common interface. It was discontinued in 2010, and replaced with a micro-USB connection.
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With a USB -> FastPort-cable, it is possible to transfer files and data between a computer and a Sony Ericsson cellphone. On most models you have the option to use the phone as a USB-storage-device, modem, phone-mode, and flashing new firmware; this can be done either with Sony Ericsson Update Service application, or with 3rd party software.
The port can also be used to charge the battery and powering the phone while it is connected to, for example, a hands-free solution in the car. Since the port was introduced, the FastPort is the only way to get external power to the phones. Chargers comes in several varieties, from 12/24 volt DC to use in cars, to 100-250 volt AC to use elsewhere. Some charger-models have a FastPort-plug which can only be used to charge the phone (can be recognized by the cable being attached at middle), others have all the pins of the connector going through it (and the cable placed to right-side when viewed from above/the side with grooves and symbol), thus allowing for connecting a data-cable, head-set or hands-free or any other FastPort-accessories while the phone is being charged.
The port is also used for connecting wired headsets or SE's own small-speakers (comes in sets of two with one cable, each about the size of a small match-box), docks with speakers, etc.
Since the introduction, the FastPort has been placed different places. Originally, it was placed on the bottom edge of the phone (when viewed from the front), for a while on the top edge, and lately of the left edge. This has caused some accessories to become more-or-less unusable, such as holders with charging options and docks.
The connector has 12 pins for electrical connections (both power and data), 2 double-sided "hooks" on the plug and matching holes in the phones connector for keeping the plug safely in place. The dimension of the connector on the phone is approx. 20 × 5mm. (0.79 × 0.20 inches) To help both identifying the type of cable and show the user how to correctly insert the plug, a small symbol is placed on the side intended to be towards the front of the phone. Such is a small lightning on powerplugs, and old-fashioned headset on headset- and hands-free-plugs, a computer-screen on data-cables, and finally a node-sign on plugs to music accessories.