NTT DoCoMo eyes faster launch of 4G phones

date: 18th March 2001, source by: Reuters

Japanese cell phone giant NTT DoCoMo may bring forward by as much as four years its launch of fourth-generation wireless transmission networks -- propelling the company well ahead of global rivals.

The report in the Daily Yomiuri newspaper on Sunday said DoCoMo had decided to embark on the much-enhanced data transmission capacity as early as 2006.

Industry observers had previously expected the group, Japan's dominant mobile operator and its largest company by market value, to start a fourth generation (4G) cellular phone service around 2010.

By bringing forward the launch far ahead of competitors, DoCoMo aims to set the de facto international standards for 4G services, the newspaper quoted industry sources as saying.

Third-generation, or 3G, mobile phones promising faster data transmission, CD-quality sound and video services, are due to be launched in May by DoCoMo and are under development by a number of other global telecoms carriers.

The 4G phones are expected to offer high-performance streaming of multimedia content and to feature ID applications that would effectively turn a mobile phone into proof of identification.

The phones will be able to receive high-resolution movies and television programmes, thus becoming a link in a new infrastructure that combines broadcasting and communications.

DoCoMo said in December it would tie up with Hewlett-Packard Co to develop multimedia delivery and network applications over 4G wireless broadband networks.

LEADER OF THE PACK

Under the alliance, DoCoMo and the U.S.-based computer and printer maker would explore interactive services such as e-commerce through mobile phones using advanced 4G technology.

The phones will be able to transmit data at a rate of more than 20 megabits per second -- or 2,000 times faster than existing cellular phones and 10 times the rates of 3G phones.

This month, rival carrier Japan Telecom Co Ltd said it would fall behind the wireless giant by a further six months and delay its launch of initial 3G services to June 2002.

Japan looks set to be the world's first testing ground for high-speed 3G services.

DoCoMo, whose name means 'anywhere' in Japanese, is betting that its gamble to be the world's first to begin 3G services on May 31 will pay off and give it an edge in a cutthroat global market.

DoCoMo is already famed for its innovative Internet-enabled ``i-mode'' telephone -- that had gained 20 million subscribers by its second birthday this month.

It has been grabbing stakes in other carriers in a 1.8 trillion yen ($15.17 billion) global investment spree, and posted record profits on the explosive success of i-mode, whose 20 million users provide an unmatched testing ground for 3G services and content.

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