DoCoMo to open i-mode to ISPs

24 Jan 2002 at 07:42 GMT Timo Poropudas

NTT DoCoMo, will allow Internet service providers to offer their own services on its wireless network from December, the NikkeiNet Interactive news site reported on Thursday.

DoCoMo currently offers access to e-mail and Web pages through its "i-mode" mobile Internet service, which has managed to grab 30 million customers in nearly three years and made DoCoMo one of Japan's most profitable companies.

DoCoMo has had a total control over network, handset design and content service parameters as well as access and billing on the I-modes system. Since this kind of control is not possible in the future and especially in other markets, DoCoMo is searching for ways to open up I-mode.

ISPs have been clamouring for a piece of the action, and DoCoMo had promised that it would prepare its systems to allow them to link into its wireless network by March 2003.

According to Reuters, a DoCoMo spokesman declined to confirm the newspaper report, saying: "We are not at the stage where we can make an announcement."