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NEWS PRODUCTS, SERVICES & APPLICATIONS NTT DoCoMo Moves into Europe At present, NTT DoCoMo has 17 million Japanese subscribers and is hoping that the rest of the world will be as enthusiastic about it i-mode service. With a string of investments in overseas companies, such as a 15 percent of KPN Mobile N.V. of the Netherlands and 16 percent of AT&T Wireless in the U.S., the Japanese company has taken the next step to offer a European version of its i-mode service in partnership with KPN Mobile and Telecom Italia Mobile (TIM).The new wireless Internet service will be launched later this year, targeting over 30 million mobile subscribers of KPN Mobile and TIM in Belgium, Germany, Italy, and The Netherlands. Mobile users in Austria, France, Greece, Spain, and Turkey can expect service at a later date. The initial phase is the formation of a Joint Venture, based in The Hague, between NTT DoCoMo, Royal KPN, and KPN Mobile, with KPN Mobile and NTT DoCoMo holding 75 percent and 25 percent ownership, respectively. The Nihon Keizai Shimbun, Japan’s leading business daily, reported that i-mode will be offered in the United States sometime next year. Additional Announcements Furthermore, NTT DoCoMo will be launching a dual-mode cellular phone, N601wg, incorporating PDC, offered by NTT DoCoMo, and GSM, available in Europe, Asia, Africa, and Oceania, for international roaming. Mobile users in these geographic locals will be able to rent or buy the N601wg and will be issued two phone numbers: one for PDC and the other for GSM. For more information: www.nttdocomo.com/new/contents/01/whatnew0122a.html Mobileinfo Comments and Advisory: It appears to us that NTT is taking a lead in introducing i-mode in the rest of the world. Does it have the agility that is required? Its equity stake in AT&T will help in USA and now this in Europe. We see services based on i-mode but modified for North America and Europe taking a significant market share for the younger crowd during the next five years. Local carriers beware! Note: This news release may contain forward-looking statements. Readers should take appropriate caution in developing plans utilizing these products, services and technology architectures. All trademarks used in this summary are the property of their respective owners. NEWS
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