The company launched the introductory phase of FOMA service on May 30, 2001, with the aim of assessing the system's performance and obtaining monitor feedback regarding the service. FOMA monitors had been notified from the beginning that the phone would be replaced when the upgraded model was ready.
The upgraded FOMA N2001 is more stable than the earlier model and realizes a higher-quality connection with the network. The phone contains a universal serial bus (USB) connection that allows a user to connect a PC or other device with the phone, which supports high-speed packet data transmission. In addition, the maximum length of incoming i-mode e-mail will be increased from the previous 4,000 alpha-numeric letters, or 2,000 full-space Japanese characters, to 10,000 alpha-numeric letters or 5,000 full-space Japanese characters (9,998 alpha-numeric letters for outgoing messages).
The monitors will be notified of the distribution via mail or telephone and will begin receiving phones on July 17, 2001.
