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NTT DoCoMo to launch "i-mode" service, market new cell phone NTT Mobile Communications Network, Inc. (NTT DoCoMo, President: Keiji Tachikawa, Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo) has filed applications with the Minister of Post and Telecommunications of Japan for permission to introduce its new "i-mode" service from February 22, 1999. i-mode subscribers will be able to access online services using a special digital phone of NTT DoCoMo. The 800 MHz unit, dubbed Digital Mova F501i HYPER, will go on sale shortly. NTT DoCoMo has formed links with 67 banks, airlines, travel agencies and other firms to provide the service. |
With i-mode, subscribers can:
| (1) | Reserve airline and concert tickets, check their bank balances or transfer money etc. |
| (2) | Send and receive e-mail. (The system is compatible not only with other i-mode users, but also with PC and PDA users. Subscribers will be supplied with an e-mail address that consists of their cellular phone number followed by @docomo.ne.jp). |
| (3) | Access the internet directly from their i-mode-compatible cellular phone |
| (4) | Register for "Message Service," a specialized service which automatically provides subscribers with information on weather, stocks and other topics, depending on choice. |
| (5) | As i-mode is based on a packet-data (9600bps) transmission system, subscribers will be charged according to the volume of data they transmit, not the time they are on the line. |
Please see the attachment for overview of service.
Attachment
| 1) | Network Structure |
| 2) | Tariff | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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By the end of March 2000, the i-mode service area will be as large as the service area for 800 MHz digital cellular phones.
 Digital Mova F501i HYPER |
