Since NTT DoCoMo launched the world's first public trials of its
FOMA-branded third-generation (3G) mobile service on 30 May, it has
been the hottest subject on Web sites and bulletin boards devoted
to cell phones.
Japanese cell phone lovers, and there are many, can't get enough of
the new service. When DoCoMo invited applications to be one of
4,500 trial users within the Tokyo metropolitan area, 147,000
people responded. Now, those who were not selected to be on the
trials are listening to what the lucky users have to say about FOMA
- and reports have so far been mixed.
"The speed of downloading Web pages and receiving mail is much
faster than my current DoCoMo handset," said one trial user, Yukio
Nakano. The "stress-free" model he received from DoCoMo was the
N2001, one of two terminals the company has distributed - the other
is a PC Card for data transmission. Distribution of a third, the
P2101V videophone, has been delayed until the end of June since
software on the device requires further development.
Audio quality is clearer too, he said. Although he has not had a
chance to speak to another FOMA user on the phone, even calls to
any current cell phone user sound better on both ends of the
call.
The N2001 model, produced by NEC, is a clamshell design with a
sophisticated display that has a wide viewing angle. There is no
protruding antenna.
One of the major problems with the present FOMA service, however,
is its instability. Whether browsing I-mode, DoCoMo's wireless
Internet service, or talking on the phone, the line is often cut
off unexpectedly. "At the moment, I can't use it for an important
business call," Nakano said.
Cut-offs occur about every other call, often in the evening, he
said.
"The instability is the same inside or outside of a building in any
coverage area," he said. The signal level indicator, a set of three
bars next to a small antenna logo on the display, constantly
changes even if the handset is held at the same position.
Battery life is another issue. It requires recharging every day,
according to Nakano - a big difference from most Japanese cell
phones which can often last more than a week in standby mode. "I
had a full battery and I sent four e-mail messages but after that
the phone already started running out of power," he said.
When DoCoMo announced the FOMA introductory service in April, the
N2001 handset was supposed to come with a cable to connect it to
the USB (Universal Serial Bus) port of a PC. However, Nakano did
not receive the connector and was instead offered a PC Card modem
as a substitute by the company.
"The USB connection will allow a PC to download packet data, but we
had a problem with the system [on the N2001]," according to Takumi
Suzuki, a spokesman for DoCoMo.
"Right now, I can't really feel a drastic change in mobile phone
services with this handset," Nakano said. "It's more like seeing a
slight change - as if the connection has changed from analog to
digital, but it is just because specific services [on I-mode] for
3G are not available."
Nakano, who likes to play around with computers and new gadgets,
applied to get onto the introductory service out of his curiosity
for 3G. After having used it for a week, he constantly reports his
FOMA experiences on his home page and has positive feedback so far.
"Once the infrastructure for the service is in order, this service
is going to be amazing."
As for the PC data card terminal, Takayuki Nashimoto, another of
DoCoMo's trial users, still has not managed to connect his PC to
the Internet. "DoCoMo told me that there is nothing wrong with the
device and I have to move my PC to a better coverage area," he
said. His office is in the heart of Tokyo and one of DoCoMo's
offices is next to the building.
"I have had this card doing nothing for a week, so I can't really
comment on how it works," he said.