TOKYO, JAPAN June 12, 2001 ---NTT DoCoMo announced today that it has corrected a software problem in the "DoCoMo by Sony SO503i" i appli mobile phone and will begin exchanging defective handsets for new ones free of charge beginning on June 13, 2001. Sales of new handsets will resume in late June now that DoCoMo has prepared an ample supply.

Sales of the handset were suspended and a recall issued following the discovery of a glitch in the product's image processing software.

Handset owners will be notified of the exchange via direct mail. They will be able to exchange their existing handsets for new ones at any NTT DoCoMo service station, including branch offices and affiliated DoCoMo retail outlets dubbed DoCoMo shop.

The following toll-free number has been established to handle all inquiries and will be in operation until July 31:

"DoCoMo by Sony SO503i" i appli mobile phone Customer Service Center Telephone: 0120-600-243 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Mondays through Fridays 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Saturdays, Sundays and holidays