NTT DoCoMo Inc., Japan’s largest mobile operator, plans to exit its money-losing personal handyphone system (PHS) business in two to three years and focus on its core mobile-phone service, the Nihon Keizai reported on Thursday. However, in an unusual move, DoCoMo’s International PR made the following comment about that report. The business daily said DoCoMo would stop accepting new customers for PHS as early as April.

DoCoMo, which is Japan’s second-largest provider of PHS services after Willcom Inc., expects to book a loss of about 60 billion yen ($569.3 million) in the current business year to March 31 to dispose of equipment and scale back its operations, the paper said. Full story here.

Meanwhile, DoCoMo International PR issued this statement:

NTT DoCoMo Comments on Report of Withdrawal from Personal Handyphone Business

Dear Journalist,

Today’s morning edition of the Nikkei Shimbun reported that NTT DoCoMo, Inc. plans to exit the personal handyphone system (PHS) business.

However, DoCoMo has not made any such announcement or decision.

For further inquiries, please contact:Manager, International PRPublic Relations DepartmentNTT DoCoMo, Inc.

Related posts:

1. Yozan to Exit PHS Business
2. NTT DoCoMo to Stop Accepting PHS Applications
3. Sanyo to Exit Cell Phone Business?
4. Sanyo Rumored to Exit Handset Business
5. DoCoMo Plans Flat-rate Mobile Web Access Service

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!