TOKYO—NTT DoCoMo Inc. and Aquafairy Co. said they are jointly developing a micro fuel cell for the Japanese operator’s 3G handsets, a move intended to counter the power demands made by advanced services such as mobile video. The two companies have worked on developing a polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC) for use in portable recharging units. DoCoMo has developed the recharger technology, while Aquafairy has developed thin film power unit technology.
NTT DoCoMo has been working to increase the capacity of lithium-ion batteries, which today serve as the predominant source of power for mobile handsets, as well as portable handset rechargers using methanol. Now it is exploring the possibilities for using PEFC technology for portable handset rechargers.
NTT DoCoMo’s involvement in developing batteries for its handsets is atypical in the mobile communications industry, as most carriers focus on their services rather than the technical details of the handsets they sell. DoCoMo’s move reflects the network operator’s logic that as it introduces services requiring greater or longer-lasting power in mobile handsets, it must play a role in resolving related technical issues that could limit uptake of those services.
