MVNO Taking DoCoMo to Task

According to Kyodo news, Japan Communications has asked the Ministry to weigh in on its stalled negotiations to use DoCoMo’s network. Japan Communications, which has taken the action under the Telecommunications Business Law, is Japan’s first mobile virtual network operator and currently offers wireless data communications services using Willcom’s PHS network.

Via The Japan Times:

One of the sticking points in the failed negotiations is the requirement that when a mobile phone operator allows an MVNO to use its network, both must disclose the contract terms, which DoCoMo does not want to do, according to sources.

We should also note that DoCoMo has argued in the past that they do not have spare 3G bandwidth as the company already serves the largest base of broadband wireless customers in Japan. Surely SoftBank Mobile’s W-CDMA network would have more capacity available considering they have the same amount of spectrum with less than 1/3 of contracted users compared to DoCoMo. WWJ has a video interview with Dr. Seiji Sanda from Japan Communications about the companies B-Mobile alternative waaaay back in 2002.