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NTT DoCoMo to unveil 3G systems by May

Krishnan Thiagarajan

HONG KONG, Dec. 8

NTT DoCoMo, the mobile computing arm of NTT, Japan is expected to successfully deploy 3G (third generation) wireless communication systems on a commercial basis by the end of May 2001.

Confirming this, Mr Akira Hiroike, Executive Engineer, Global Standardisation, R&D Planning Dept, NTT DoCoMo said, ``By the end of May 2001, we will be the first company to launch commercially available W-CDMA based 3G technology in the market.

``We are spending significant time in testing and developing the equipment for successful implementation of commercially available 3G technology. So far, the testing has been successfully conducted, so we will be able to launch by May 2001.''

The success of i-mode, the special cellular service operation launched by NTT DoCoMo in February 1999, has literally set the company on the road to staggering growth.

In less than two years since its launch, i-mode as of October 31 had 14 million subscribers and has been growing all the time.

Actually, the success of i-mode is what emboldened NTT DoCoMo to move into the 3G arena to transform itself into a ``true mobile multimedia'' operator.

Recently, NTT DoCoMo has also coined `FOMA', which is an acronym for Freedom of Mobile Multimedia Access, as a service brand name for 3G systems when it goes into service by May 2001.

i-mode currently provides direct and continuous access to the internet through a portal provided by NTT DoCoMo. The portal links users to online services of over 1300 sites.

Such services include, weather, stocks, telephone directory services, dining and entertainment sites, online shopping, ticket reservation among others.

Besides this, the company has also created a truly open portal by allowing outside individuals and companies to create Web sites which can be accessed through i-mode.

As of November 2000, nearly 30,000 Web sites with pages designed for i-mode using simplified text and graphics.

In order to provide an enriching mobile multimedia experience, NTT DoCoMo on Thursday tested the multimedia capabilities by allowing its users to participate in a live concert using i-mode in Japan.

Although audio was not available, this proved to be a fairly enriching experience and a big step forward as they step into the 3G environment.

Over the past year or so, NTT DoCoMo has also aggressively positioned itself in the global market.

It has started leveraging its technical, particularly packet switching know-how, bandwidth and network management expertise, experience in content provision and handset development through strategic joint ventures and equity investments involving mobile service companies and multimedia firms in North America, Europe and Asia Pacific region.

Starting off from its 15 per cent equity investment in KPN Mobile in August 2000, it has since announced equity investments in Hutchison 3G UK Holdings in September 2000 in Europe.

In the same month, it also became a majority stakeholder in AOL Japan by acquiring a 42.3 per cent stock.

Shifting its focus towards Asia Pacific and the US, it recently acquired a 16 per cent investment in the US-based AT&T Wireless tracking stock and warrants and a 20 per cent equity stake in KG Telecom of Taiwan.

These initiatives are clearly aimed at widening its international base and capitalising on its expertise in the W-CDMA based 3G technology.