NTT DoCoMo Inc, Japan's largest mobile phone operator, plans to make all its models compatible with global standards so they can be used in more than 130 countries, a leading Japanese newspaper said on Sunday.
The move will have all of DoCoMo's models compatible with the Global System for Mobile Communications format (GSM) in two years, making it the first Japanese mobile company to do so, company sources were quoted as saying by the Yomiuri Shimbun.
At present, only a limited number of Japanese mobile phone models are usable overseas.
Under the new system, DoCoMo mobile phone users would also be able to use its i-mode internet services in over 70 countries, the Yomiuri said.
DoCoMo officials were not available for comment.
The report comes at a time when Japan's $78 billion mobile phone market prepares for a possible increase in competition. Government rule this autumn will make it easier for customers to switch services by letting them keep their existing phone numbers.
The industry also faces a challenge from Softbank Corp, which recently bought Vodafone Group Plc's Japan operations, allowing the aggressive high-speed Internet provider to offer a combination of fixed-line, broadband and mobile services.
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