Happy Thanksgiving to WWJ’s US readers and for those in the UK, we’ve glad tidings of an early Christmas present: i-mode will launch on mmO2 in mid-2005, according to the Nihon Keizai Shimbun. A Reuters report earlier today quoted the paper as stating that NTT DoCoMo has reached a basic agreement to offer i-mode to Britain’s mmO2 Plc. What started with an under-attended press conference almost six years ago in Tokyo (when DoCoMo was generating some 10 percent of mobile revenues from SMS-type messaging) will now land in London. The Big Question: Will i-mode gobble up Vodafone live!’s lunch right on home turf?

Reuters said that the Nikkei said that mmO2 is expected to launch i-mode-based services as early as the middle of 2005. Britain has been the last major European country where i-mode has no presence. MmO2 Chief Executive Peter Erskine said last week the company would decide by year-end on whether to introduce i-mode.

Full Reuters report Here.

Related posts:

1. Russia’s MTS to License i-mode
2. DoCoMo – mmO2 Confirm i-Mode
3. mmO2 AND NTT DoCoMo ANNOUNCE AGREEMENT ON i-mode
4. ZigBee SIG Japan to Form mid-2005
5. DoCoMo’s i-mode Gets 2nd Chance In Europe

Some sage advise when entering new turf; Stop, Look and Listen.. it’s also good to secure a local guide. Japan is the cradle of mobile civilization – we have been dedicated to this space since 2001 – trust our archives here offer some useful material.

Domestic activities continue to set the pace, and sharp players are looking at global markets. We have hard-earned industry expertise and trusted network of contacts with access to advanced intell. and potential deal flow. Need a lift.. Ok, buckle-up!