NTT DoCoMo to Launch World's First 3G Service "FOMA" on Fully Commercialized Basis
05/09/2001
Tokyo, Japan, September 1, 2001 - NTT DoCoMo, Inc. announced today that it has sought permission from the government to launch its 3G wireless communications service "FOMA" (Freedom Mobile Multimedia Access) on a fully commercialized basis from October 1, 2001. "FOMA" is the name used in Japan for NTT DoCoMo's 3G service. NTT DoCoMo has been offering introductory phase of FOMA service since May 30, 2001. During that time the company has been assessing system performance and obtaining customer feedback regarding overall its service.
A cross-section of consumers has been using FOMA handsets under real-world conditions. NTT DoCoMo has used their input to make necessary adjustments and improve system stability. Such issues have been successfully resolved and NTT DoCoMo is now ready to launch FOMA on a fully commercialized basis. Accordingly, the company will terminate introductory service on September 30, 2001.
DoCoMo applied to the Minister of Public Management, Home Affairs, and Posts and Telecommunications for permission to launch fully commercialized FOMA. At the same time, the company also notified the minister's office of its billing plan for the new service.
FOMA: Terms of Service
1. Service name: FOMA
2. Service start date: October 1, 2001 (to be confirmed by the Minister of Public Management, Home Affairs, and Posts and Telecommunications)
3. Service area: Tokyo area, inside National Route 16 (within 30 km of Tokyo's center)
4. Service description (main features)
Videophone
* 64Kbps digital communications for real-time video
Data communications Packet communications
* maximum 384Kbps downlink, maximum 64Kbps unlink, high-speed connections
64Kbps data communications
* Circuit switched connections for high-speed communications with 64Kbps-uplink and downlink speed.
Short messaging
* Sending/receiving short text messages between FOMA handsets.
Multiaccess
* Simultaneous voice and packet communications
Additional services
Features
i-mode
* High-speed packet communications with maximum 384Kbps downlink connection
* Sending/receiving up to 10,000 letters (5,000 full-space Japanese characters) i-mode mail with attached still pictures (GIF, JPEG), music (MIDI), etc.
* Select e-mails(text, attached file) to receive by checking its title
mopera
* Connect to the Internet (64Kbps data communications/packet communications) by connecting a PC to a FOMA handset
* Mail service
Voicemail
* Same as current PDC cellular phone service
Call-forwarding
Call-waiting
Leased-line service
(special application required)
Features
Class 1 leased-line service Direct link between corporate LAN and FOMA network using a dedicated line for high-security networking.
Class 2 leased-line service (XWave) Direct link between corporate LAN and FOMA network using an existing connection (ISDN or frame relay) for high-security networking.
FOMA Deployment Plan
1) Area
Service to begin in December 2001:
- DoCoMo Kansai, DoCoMo Tokai regions, covering major markets of Kyoto-Osaka-Kobe and Nagoya city.
- South Kanto major markets (DoCoMo)
Service to begin in Spring 2002:
- DoCoMo Hokkaido, DoCoMo Tohoku, DoCoMo Hokuriku, DoCoMo Chugoku, DoCoMo Shikoku, DoCoMo Kyushu, covering major cities nationwide.
- North Kanto (major markets) and Koshinetsu region (partial) (DoCoMo)
2) Services
1. i-motion: video-clip service over i-mode: (Planned starting date: within 2001)
2. M-stage visual: video distribution service (Planned starting date: Spring 2002)
3. M-stage music: music distribution service (Planned starting date: Spring 2002)
4. Dual-network services with current PDC handsets (Use same number for FOMA and conventional PDC handsets) (Planned starting date: Summer 2002)
5. International roaming service (Depends on the timing of W-CDMA based service launch of roaming partners)
