DoCoMo looks on track for 3G debut

By CNN's Kristie Lu Stout

TOKYO, Japan (CNN) -- Rebounding from a handset holdup, NTT DoCoMo's third-generation trial service seems on track for its formal debut in October.

Japan's leading mobile carrier announced on Thursday that its videophones, a key product for its 3G commercial service, will finally be delivered to 1,200 3G trialists after a one-month delay.

DoCoMo is certain that it can deliver the world's first commercial 3G mobile service on October 1 as originally scheduled.

Earlier this week, a senior executive of the operator reassured journalists and business people at a telecom conference in Singapore that the 3G rollout is still on course.

One of many setbacks

The videophone holdup was one of many setbacks that raised concerns whether NTT DoCoMo would be able to meet its formal commercial launch deadline on October 1.

In late April, DoCoMo postponed the full commercial launch of its 3G service to October 1 from May 30.

One day after its May 30 launch, users of the trial service were not able to receive I-mode email messages due to a technical problem at one of the mobile operator's computer servers. The faulty email service has since been restored.

About 4,500 monitors in Japan are currently test driving the 3G service, a mobile offering called "Foma" that runs at speeds from 64 to 384 kilobytes per second.

NTT DoCoMo is conducting the trial service to collect customer feedback prior to its full-scale launch of 3G services in October.

Though the doubts and delays have weighed down on DoCoMo, one of the world's leading mobile companies, the Japanese operator is still riding high on the enormous popularity of its I-mode mobile Internet data service.

The company posted a stronger than expected $3 billion net profit for the past business year, powered by its fast-growing mobile Internet services.

DoCoMo's consolidated net profit rose 45 percent to a record 365.5 billion yen ($3.01 billion) for the year ended March 31.

DoCoMo plans to invest $8.25 billion over the next three years on 3G and expects to sign up 150,000 3G customers by March 2002.

Shares in the mobile leader were trading 1.5 prcent higher Friday afternoon at 2.12 million yen, up 30,000 yen.