FOMA Technology

NTT DOCOMO's 3G FOMA service, deployed in the 2 GHz frequency band, uses packet data transfer speeds ranging from 64 kbps to 384 kbps to support a broad variety of applications that include Internet access, e-mail, file transfers, remote log-in and Internet phone applications. In addition, ISDN-type services functioning on a streamed basis effectively employ nx64 kbps channels to support applications such as telephony, video-conferencing and Group 4 faxing. Further, high-quality voice services at up to 12.2 kbps are also available. These cutting-edge services are supported by the following technologies.

Network Technology

NTT DOCOMO's 3G network uses an architecture completely different from 1G and 2G. Employment of ATM technology manages packet and circuit switching on the same network node, allowing use of various traffic types for true multimedia capability. Asymmetric communications with different characteristics for up- and down-link are also made possible by ATM's ability to handle these resources separately. Additionally, ATM allows flexible connection services such as point-to-point and point-to-multi-point connections.

Intelligent Networks (IN) are in telecommunications use worldwide and the introduction of 3G service in Japan has greatly enhanced them, not least by providing quicker response to customer needs. What's more, development costs are lower and more easily controlled, while Global Roaming (Virtual Home Environment) has become a practical possibility.

W-CDMA Technology
Two innovative technologies employed in W-CDMA are key to FOMA's unmatched ability to handle a wide range of content including sound, video and still images:
- Spread Spectrum technology
that employs a wider frequency band to transmit radio signals.
- Multirate technology
that selects speed and transmission channel based on data type and size.