NTT DOCOMO 5G mobile service launched – Japan’s first

NTT DOCOMO 5G
Photo by kato.84

NTT DOCOMO, INC. has launched its much anticipated fifth-generation mobile communications service (5G) on a commercial basis in Japan on March 25. At the time of launch, the service will achieve a maximum data rate of 3.4 Gbps and in June the downlink will increase to a maximum 4.1 Gbps.

DOCOMO’s 5G coverage will encompass some 150 locations nationwide initially and then expand to all prefectures by June. More than 500 cities are expected to have access to DOCOMO’s 5G service by March 2021.

Customers who purchase a 5G-compatible smartphone from DOCOMO will be able to choose between two types of billing plans according to their data needs.

The country’s largest mobile operator by subscribers (with over 79 million subscriptions) confirmed that it will offer users a plan with 100GB of data for JPY7,650 (USD69) per month, excluding taxes, although the fee comes down to as little as JPY4,480 when combined with various discounts. DOCOMO is selling 5G-compatible Sharp Aquos R5G and Samsung Galaxy S20 5G smartphones for prices upwards of JPY97,460 but there will be no cap on the amount of data transmitted for the time being in a promotional campaign period.

At launch, DOCOMO’s lineup of 5G-compatible devices will include seven models in the docomo Smartphone series and a mobile Wi-Fi® router. All models will be compatible with DOCOMO’s existing LTE network.

Going forward, DOCOMO is committed to steadily expanding and enhancing its 5G network service to create new value for society and to make customers’ lives more convenient and fulfilling.

DOCOMO has beaten rivals KDDI (au), SoftBank Corp and newcomer Rakuten Mobile, whose own launches are expected in the coming days and weeks.

Further information available here.

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