NTT DoCoMo, KDDI to Separately Launch Android Smartphone in Japan in Fiscal Year 2009
November 21, 2008
Japanese telecom operators NTT DoCoMo and KDDI will separately debut Google Android platform-based Smartphones, which are slated for commercialization in Japan in the fiscal year 2009, which runs from April 1, 2009 to March 31, 2010, Kyoto News reported on November 19. During the period, DoCoMo plans to release 10 new Smartphones, some of which will be Android platform-based models. DoCoMo stated that its Android Smartphones will be priced 20% lower than the existing Smartphone models, Reuters reported.
Meanwhile, according to the Washington Post, DoCoMo's spokesperson has denied an earlier report by the Nikkei Business Daily that DoCoMo would team up with Korea's KT Freetel to jointly launch Android Smartphones.
Another Japanese telecom operator KDDI, which is the member of Open Handset Alliance led by Google, also plans the Android Smartphone launch, according to Kyoto News again, citing industry sources. Further details regarding these Android Smartphone were not yet disclosed though.