NEC: Selected As Super 3G Handset Vendor For NTT DoCoMo

TOKYO -(Dow Jones)- Electronics manufacturer NEC Corp. said Tuesday it has been selected by NTT DoCoMo, Japan's largest cellular operator, to provide handsets for the operator's next generation mobile network.

NEC said it would deliver the handsets for consumers by 2010, adding it planned to work together with Panasonic Mobile Communications and Fujitsu to develop standards and equipment for the new network.

NTT DoCoMo, with more than 50% of mobile subscribers nationwide, has said it plans to launch its new "Super 3G" network around the same time. The new network will extend existing technologies to achieve faster data transmission speeds, as the focus of mobile operators continues to move from voice to e-mail, music and e-commerce applications.

About 60% of the operator's subscribers currently use its third generation network, but the rollout was costly as users were slow to switch to its 3G services. NTT DoCoMo is looking to take a more phased approach as it moves toward a 4G network.

-By Jay Alabaster, Dow Jones Newswires; 813-5255-2929; jay.alabaster@dowjones.com

-Edited by Tomoko Hosaka

(END) Dow Jones Newswires "

Posted to the site on 21st November 2006