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TOKYO, JAPAN, April 26, 2001 -- NTT DoCoMo, Inc. (NTT DoCoMo) announced today that it will launch an IMT-2000 third-generation (3G) mobile communications on an introductory basis for a limited number of users in Japan between May 30, 2001 and September 30, 2001.
The full-scale commercialization of NTT DoCoMo's 3G services, branded FOMA (Freedom Of mobile Multimedia Access), is now scheduled for October 1, 2001. Since this will be the world's first commercial launch of IMT-2000 services, NTT DoCoMo has decided that the "Introductory Service" is warranted to ensure reliable operation. The "Introductory Service" will be used to assess system performance and provide customer feedback for the full-scale launch in October. Users will be provided with free handsets and will be exempted from paying basic monthly fees, but not actual communication charges, in return for filling out questionnaires about the 3G services and offering comments and suggestions regarding possible improvements. The "Introductory Service" will be part of a phased rollout of IMT-2000 commercial services. NTT DoCoMo believes that its step-by-step approach will effectively support the popularization of FOMA services, which will offer customers a full range of useful broadband communications and advanced applications. In accordance with this decision, the company has applied with the Ministry of Public Management, Home Affairs, Posts and Telecommunications to amend the dates of its IMT-2000 service operation license. DoCoMo has already completed the installation of 200 base stations, related networks and other facilities within the "Introductory Service" area. Further details about the "Introductory Service" are provided in the attachments. FOMA "Introductory Service": background information Specifications of the IMT-2000 international communications standard are being revised every three months as a result of ongoing discussions within the 3GPP. With an aim to launch the service on May 30, 2001, NTT DoCoMo has been working to add essential specifications from the September 2000 and December 2000 versions to the fundamental June 2000 version. DoCoMo has already checked a vast number of items in order to launch its new service. However, the number of items requiring verification has increased, mainly due to a need to reflect the March 2001 version of the specification. Thus, NTT DoCoMo decided to upgrade the stability of the system even after May 30, although the quality of normal service has been secured. NTT DoCoMo believes that further testing is needed in order to guarantee an even higher level of system stability. Accordingly, it has decided to offer the "Introductory Service" to a large number of people who will use it under various using conditions. The trial also will enable users to provide user feedback on the utility of the new IMT-2000 service early in the service period. Attachment Overview of FOMA "Introductory Service"
1. Goals for the "Introductory Service" To ensure a stable nationwide deployment of the service, a) Further improve the service quality based on the track record of system operation and the responses obtained from customers. b) Further enhance the service through obtaining users' evaluations on, e.g., ease of use. 2. Implementation period May 30, 2001 (Wed) to September 30, 2001 (Sun) 3. Service contents (main features) |
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4. Service area 23 Special Wards of Tokyo, limited areas in Yokohama and Kawasaki
Schedule for Expansion of FOMA Service
Based on customer feedback acquired during the "Introductory Service", fully commercialized service will be provided from October 1, 2001. After fully commercialized service is launched, the service areas will be expanded as follows: |
1. Area
| October 1, 2001: | Inside Route 16 (30 km radius from the center of Tokyo) | ||
| December 2001: | Osaka and Nagoya region | ||
| Spring 2002: | Major cities nationwide |
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2. Service Image clipping service with i-mode - "i-motion" DoCoMo's music distribution service - "M-stage music" Improved convenience through dual network service with existing cellular phones. (Enables using both FOMA and existing cellular handsets with a single telephone number) International roaming service |
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FOMA "Introductory Service" handsets (from left): Standard Type (FOMA N2001), Visual Type (FOMA P2101V), Data-Card Type (FOMA P2401) Calling charge details for the "Introductory Service" FOMA-initiated calls (.pdf) *"DoCoMo service area" is located in Kanto, Koshinetsu region. DoCoMo's regional companies operate other areas. * Standard time is from 00:00 to 01:00 and from 08:00 to 24:00 on weekdays. Discount time is from 01:00 to 08:00, all day on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. * The communication charges "Outside of DoCoMo's service area" is charged to calls received by other operators' cellular phones. * "Inside of DoCoMo's service area" includes prefectures adjacent to the service area FOMA-received calls Existing voice communication charges are charged to FOMA-received calls from current cellular phones, landline telephones and PHS. 64K digital communication charges making from current cellular phones, landline telephone and PHS to FOMA are about 1.8 times higher than the conventional voice communications charge. |
