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2nd June 2003

Japan : Japan Airlines (JAL) and NTT DoCoMo jointly announced that they will test applications operating on third-generation (3G) and wireless LAN networks for JAL ground staff use at Narita Airport from June 2 to November 30, 2003.

Inset shows airline stewardeses from Japan Airlines who soon could be using 3G devices at Narita Airport.

 

The test involves the use of 20 personal digital assistants (PDAs) and five personal computers equipped with FOMA data cards for simultaneous voice and data transmissions.

JAL's airport ground staff currently use wireless devices, but for voice communications only. The new devices make it possible to check flight information visually and talk simultaneously and the test will enable them to evaluate any improved operational efficiency as a result.

Flight information and other data will be sent via 384 Kbps packet transmissions over the FOMA network, while voice will be handled via a wireless LAN network operated by Narita Airport. DoCoMo developed all required systems.

The joint test with JAL is expected to contribute greatly to DoCoMo's ongoing development of new FOMA services for corporate applications, and to improve JAL flight operations preparation in airport locations.

About Japan Airlines
Asia's biggest airline, Japan Airlines, is currently integrating its operations with domestic partner Japan Air System, and by April 2004, the newly formed airline group will be the 6TH biggest airline group in the world in terms of traffic performance (revenue ton kilometers) and capacity (available ton kilometers). Originally founded in 1951, JAL first launched international services in February 1954. Today, the airline serves 173 cities in 29 countries including Japan. The JAL Group operates a fleet of some 280 aircraft including more than 80 Boeing 747s and was the first airline in the world to take delivery of 100 Boeing 747 aircraft. The carrier recently took delivery of its 150th wide-bodied Boeing jet.

About NTT DoCoMo
NTT DoCoMo is the world's leading mobile communications company with more than 46 million customers. The company provides a wide variety of leading-edge mobile multimedia services. These include , the world's most popular mobile internet service, which provides e-mail and internet access to over 38 million subscribers, and , launched in 2001 as the world's first 3G mobile service based on W-CDMA. In addition to wholly owned subsidiaries in Europe and North and South America, the company is expanding its global reach through strategic alliances with mobile and multimedia service providers in the Asia-Pacific, Europe and North and South America. NTT DoCoMo is listed on the Tokyo (9437), London (NDCM), and New York (DCM) stock exchanges.