US / ASIA : NTT DoCoMo announced it agreed with the wireless unit of AT&T that DoCoMo will provide technical and financial support of up to US$24 million for the deployment of AT&T's third-generation (3G) mobile phone network in the U.S. state of Hawaii.

Under the tie-up with DoCoMo, AT&T plans to launch a 3G network based on W-CDMA technology on the island of Oahu by the end of 2007, expanding coverage to the rest of the state by early 2008. DoCoMo will also make necessary arrangements to provide customers traveling to Hawaii with enhanced 3G services. The agreement will facilitate provision of 3G roaming services to DoCoMo customers traveling throughout Hawaii, a major destination for Japanese tourists.

Given the growth in 3G services in the United States and Japan, DoCoMo will in future seek to promote international roaming services between these markets.