TOKYO, JAPAN, August 17, 2001--- NTT DoCoMo, Inc. has solved a technical problem that had been disrupting operation of its Digital mova P503i HYPER mobile phone, the company announced today. Upgrades were completed successfully yesterday at base stations, which transmit signals to the P503i phones and, as a result, users can now operate their handsets without difficulty.

NTT DoCoMo had earlier issued an advisory warning users of a technical problem that affected operation of the i appli compatible i-mode phones only in certain areas. The problem occurred in particular service areas, or "cells," where the phone was unable to receive paging information sent via radio wave from base stations. As a result, voice and e-mail reception was prevented in cycles of either 7 or 20 minutes.

DoCoMo solved the problem by sending controlling signals from its base stations which adjusted the timing of radio wave transmissions between phones and base stations. Customers were advised to take their handsets to DoCoMo's affiliated retail shops, called "DoCoMo Shops," for a temporary software upgrade that would allow them to use their phones while the base station adjustment work was completed. As the base stations are now in order, the software upgrades will no longer be performed.

NTT DoCoMo will notify the public of the resolution of the problem via its official web site and i-mode portal site.