NTT Docomo to End 3G Mobile Services at End of March

Tokyo, March 13 (Jiji Press)–NTT Docomo Inc. will terminate its FOMA 3G mobile communication services on March 31, bringing to an end its “i-mode” wireless internet access service. The i-mode service, launched in February 1999, attracted users for its easy internet access, contributing to the wide adoption of mobile phones in Japan, along with 3G communication services, which began in October 2001. Subscribers to i-mode surpassed 49 million in 2010, but its popularity waned as smartphones took the stage. The 3G technology is used in folding phones and other older phones as well as in tobacco vending machines for age verification, according to the company. There were around 350,000 individual subscribers to NTT Docomo’s 3G services as of Wednesday, with older users accounting for a sizable share. The company is urging 3G users to switch to newer phones by the end of the month. “I’ve been using FOMA for more than 20 years. It’s a shame” that the service will be terminated, said a 55-year-old company employee who visited an NTT Docomo shop in Tokyo on March 2 to upgrade his contract. After the end of the 3G services, NTT Docomo will use the vacated frequency band to improve communication quality. KDDI Corp. and SoftBank Corp., which have already terminated their 3G mobile services, are offering discounts to lure users from NTT Docomo. In a campaign that began in December, SoftBank’s Y!mobile budget brand offers some phones for 1 yen to those who switch from NTT Docomo. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]