TOKYO-KDDI, the second-largest mobile operator in Japan, announced the number of subscribers for its third-generation (3G) service exceeded 4 million. KDDI launched its 3G service based on cdma2000 1x in April.
It won more than 4 million users within eight months. KDDI is targeting to win 7 million users by March 2003. KDDI is providing movie mail service with which users can send and receive motion pictures to other users and location services based on global positioning system (GPS) for its 3G service users.
NTT DoCoMo, which launched FOMA service in October 2001, has won merely 150,000 users. According to industry sources, KDDI has won more 3G users because its handsets are less expensive than FOMA terminals, its population coverage is wider than FOMA, and KDDI provides more attractive services like movie mail and GPS-based services.
However, also this week, NTT DoCoMo released three new FOMA handsets. According to DoCoMo, these three new handsets manufactured by NEC, Fujitsu and Matsushita Communication Industrial, have a tripled waiting time compared with conventional handsets and functionality for movie e-mail services.
NTT DoCoMo has attributed its sluggish sales to shorter battery life of handsets and lack of attractive content. By launching more advanced handsets, NTT DoCoMo is aimed at winning more users.
In 2003, NTT DoCoMo plans to launch dual-band handsets for both W-CDMA and PDC networks, international roaming with GSM-based services, and a further advanced handset weighing less than 100 grams and having more than 300 hours waiting time.
The three new handsets announced this week have 170 to 180 hours waiting time and functionality to send and receive motion pictures. The N2051 by NEC and P2101V by Matsushita carry two CMOS cameras. The F2051 by Fujitsu has advanced visual processing functionality. The prices are open, however it is believed they are selling at around 30,000 yen (US$244) each.
