TOKYO, JAPAN January 5, 2001 --- NTT DoCoMo, Inc. (NTT DoCoMo) today applied to the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications for permission to launch its "M-stage music", music distribution service for Personal Handyphone System (PHS) users.

The service will enable users to stream*1 or download various sorts of music via NTT DoCoMo's "mopera" mobile Internet service to its service compatible terminal "Picwalk P711m."

Users can stream 30-40 seconds music*2 for free*3 to check out tracks, or pay to download complete tracks songs for playback via the Picwalk P711m.

*1 Music tracks stored on the network server for the purposes of inspection can be played without having to first download them onto the SD Memory Card.

*2 J-POP, POP, Rock, R&B, Dance, Hip-Hop, Jazz, Fusion, Falk, Japanese ballads (Enka), Classic etc.

*3 A communication charge is required separately.

The service will start on January 15, 2001 and will be available throughout Japan wherever PHS 64/32K service is offered.

Charges will be as follows:

• Basic subscription for M-stage music service: 200 yen per month*4 (This fee will be waved until the end of May 2001)
• PHS communication charge: 15 yen per minute
• Content fee: Varies by content*5

*4 Basic subscription to PHS service is required to use M-stage music service.

*5 Users can download up to 30,000 yen (not including tax) worth of content per month.

System content:

• Distribution system: Based on EMDLB system*6, AAC Compression*7
• Player terminal: SD Memory Card compatible PHS 64K phone (Picwalk P711m)
• Recording medium: SD Memory Card

Note: MP3 Files are not available for both recording and playback with this service
*6 EMDLB system has been developed by Matsushita Electric in cooperation with UMG, BMG and AT&T.
*7 The AAC compression rate is higher than MP3's and has been adopted as Japan's digital broadcasting voice encoding technology.

Reference: M-Stage music System (.pdf)

5. Content Providers
Total of 15 companies as of January 15.

Initially, over 500 music tracks will be available (full download: approx.450, streaming: approx. 70) NTT DoCoMo is aiming to provide about 3,000 music tracks by summer 2001. A number of content providers are now considering joining the service. We will continue to encourage others to do the same.

Outline of Picwalk P711m

Features of "Picwalk P711m*1" music distribution terminal:

a. Support NTT DoCoMo's "M-stage music" music distribution service, which enables users to stream and download music content
b. SD Memory Card, which enables exchange of music data with PC etc.
c. Installed simplified browser*2, which enables web browsing
d. 256-color liquid crystal display

*1 This terminal is for M-stage music service, and does not support voice communication.
*2 The terminal will not work properly when you access a web site not tailored to the simplified browser.

2. Sales Points
"Picwalk P711m" music distribution terminals will be sold through all NTT DoCoMo sales channels, including NTT DoCoMo branch offices and DoCoMo shops as well as electronic appliance stores.

Outline of brand name of new service:

"M-stage music" NTT DoCoMo Inc., has announced "M-stage-music" as the brand name for its new music distribution service.

The initial "M" stands for such words as multimedia, mobile, and music. "Stage" represents a new level of service to which the public has attached high expectations.