30/11/2004

MMO2 and DoCoMo to bring i-mode to UK

MMO2 plc, a leading European mobile operator and Japanese-based NTT

DoCoMo Inc have signed a deal to deliver i-mode internet services in the UK.

Users in Germany and Ireland will also be able to avail of the latest technology that will enable them to access e-mail, watch film clips, chat, play games and do their online banking via their mobile phone.

I-mode is now the world's most popular mobile internet platform with more than 45 million subscribers using over 6,100 official sites in 10 countries and regions.

The facility will be available on an extensive selection of advanced multimedia handsets and devices from major Asian, European and US manufacturers, including NEC, Panasonic, Siemens, Motorola and Samsung.

NTT DoCoMo President and Chief Executive Officer, Masao Nakamura, commented: "I am very pleased to initiate a partnership with MMO2, a leading provider of mobile services. This new collaboration will certainly drive further expansion of i-mode in the global arena."

In Japan 90% of DoCoMo customers use its i-mode services.

MMO2 plans to introduce i-mode in the UK and Ireland during the second half of 2005, while the service will be offered from Spring 2006 in Germany.

The move contrasts with MMO2's decision six months ago not to embrace i-mode technology because of the limited numbers of mobile handsets able to accommodate the service.

Since then most of the world's handset makers now produce i-mode phones prompting the reversal of the company's earlier decision.

(mmcg/sp)

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