ASIA Japan : NTT DOCOMO announced that on August 1 it will launch the BlackBerry® Internet Service for direct connection to the Internet without the need for a dedicated server, responding to requests from individuals, as well as small to midsize businesses, who want a simple, convenient, low-cost system for Web browsing and e-mail with their BlackBerry 8707h™ smartphones in Japan.

The BlackBerry 8707h will be sold through the company's Online Shop, Corporate Business Division and DOCOMO Shops' corporate business sections on August 1.

The BlackBerry Internet Service will cost 3,045 yen per month (tax included). The FOMA™ basic monthly fee and normal packet charges will apply separately.

In addition, a discount packet-billing plan to be launched on September 1, called the BlackBerry Data Transmission Package, will enable users to transmit up to 80,000 packets of data per month for a flat charge of 1,680 yen. Data exceeding this limit will be charged at 0.0525 yen per packet.

DOCOMO will demonstrate the new BlackBerry Internet Service during Wireless Japan 2008 at Tokyo Big Sight from July 22 to 24.