DoCoMo Mandating GSM in All Japanese Handsets
Japan's Yomiuri Shimbun newspaper has reported that DoCoMo plans to be Japan's first cell phone operator to have all of its handset models compatible with GSM networks, to enable easier roaming for travellers. The report, citing unnamed sources said that suppliers will have two years before all handsets sold by the operator would mandate GSM capabilities.
While KDDI and Vodafone/Softbank do offer handsets which can roam overseas, DoCoMo is different in mandating the facility for all future handsets.
Currently, only five DoCoMo models are GSM-compatible. The company will make more new models in the future compatible with both W-CDMA and GSM, and make all new models compatible with both formats within two years.
The move comes as the country prepares to launch Mobile Number Portability, which would make it easier for customers to churn from DoCoMo to the other operators while retaining their phone number."
Posted to the site on 22nd May 2006
