DoCoMo Suspends 'P702i' Handset Sales Over Defect

TOKYO -(Dow Jones)- NTT DoCoMo said Wednesday it has suspended the sale of "P702i" handsets for its "FOMA" third-generation mobile phone service as some fail to turn on once they are switched off, Kyodo News reported.

The trouble has been traced to a defect in the software for the handsets, NTT DoCoMo said, according to Kyodo.

The company has received some 300 inquiries about the glitch, according to its officials.

Made by Panasonic Mobile Communications, the P702i was put on the market in February and sales have since reached some 60,000 units.

The handsets will be replaced with new ones by the end of April, NTT DoCoMo said, according to the news agency.

(END) Dow Jones Newswires "

Posted to the site on 19th April 2006