Yesterday DoCoMo and Motorola announced that Motorola would be producing a phone for its FOMA network aimed at business users. The phones would feature GSM, GPRS and WLAN support and would therefore be the first FOMA phone to work outside Japan. Today CBR Online reports that these phone will be powered by the Symbian OS. One possibility is a FOMA version of the Motorola Axxx series running on UIQ. Another is the use of the existing FOMA Symbian UI as used in the FOMA Fujitsu phones. Other rumours suggest that Nokia are also in negotiations with DoCoMo.

Press Release:
NTT DoCoMo and Motorola to Develop 3G FOMA Handset for Business Users

TOKYO, JAPAN, August 25, 2004 --- NTT DoCoMo, Inc., Motorola Inc. and Motorola Japan Ltd. announced today that they have signed an agreement to jointly develop a FOMA® handset targeting business users by taking advantage of high-speed 3G FOMA technologies. Commercialization is scheduled for spring 2005.

The new handset, which is compatible with GSM/GPRS technologies, will be the first FOMA model that may be used outside of Japan.

Unlike i-mode®-capable phones, the handset will enable access to the internet through mopera® or any other available internet connection service. What's more, its browser will be able to display standard web pages.

In addition, the new handset will be compatible with public wireless LAN services offered by DoCoMo and other providers, enabling users in hotspots to enjoy high-speed internet access at fixed rates.

The handset can also be used to view e-mail attachments created in formats such as Microsoft® Word, Microsoft® Excel, PowerPoint®. The model will support Bluetooth® connectivity for remote control via a laptop or PDA for dialup to the internet, or for convenient hands-free operation using a headset. In addition, the phone will be compatible with PIM (Personal Information Management).

"NTT DoCoMo is delighted to team with Motorola to develop an advanced FOMA handset that meets the special needs of business users, which differ from those of general users," said NTT DoCoMo's Executive Vice President Kei-ichi Enoki.

"In particular, the phone can connect to public high-speed wireless LAN networks to browse the internet and receive e-mail. It also opens a variety of attached documents in their original formats and even works on mobile networks outside Japan. We believe that the new market aimed at business people will join the existing i-mode market in seeing a future expansion," he added.

"Motorola is proud to bring our 3G expertise to this partnership with NTT DoCoMo. This device perfectly embodies our mission to enable users to have a personal hub of communications in the palm of their hand," said Patrick S. Kung, Corporate Vice President, Motorola Inc., General Manager, PCS North Asia.

"This FOMA handset will help business users to multi-task and be more efficient, especially when traveling outside Japan, because they can use the phone and all its features anywhere in the world while staying connected to Japan," he said.