THE JAPAN NEWS

 

TOKYO (Jiji Press) — NTT Docomo Inc. said Wednesday it will end shipments of conventional mobile phones compatible with its i-mode Internet access service by the end of this year, excluding some models such as one for elderly users.

The major Japanese mobile carrier will continue its e-mail service for mobile phones.

Production of mobile phones with access to the i-mode service became more difficult after withdrawals by parts and raw materials producers, reflecting the spread of smartphones.

The i-mode service, launched in 1999, contributed to the expansion of the mobile phone market in Japan. The number of subscribers using mobile phones with i-mode reached 48.99 million in 2009. As of the end of September 2016, the figure had fallen to 17.42 million but still accounted for about 30 percent of all Docomo customers.

Beginning with the models launched last summer, Docomo mobile phones have responded to its sp-mode Internet access service for smartphones.

Of six i-mode mobile phone models for general consumers, Docomo will end shipments of five. It will stop selling the models as soon as current stocks run out.