According to Reuters, UK-based O2 and Australia’s Telstra Corp. said on Tuesday they would end NTT DoCoMo’s i-mode Internet phone service. Mobile phone operator O2, which is owned by Spain’s Telefonica said the limited range of devices that carried the service had restricted its growth. O2 will continue to support the service for the next two years but will not launch any new i-mode handsets from July 2007, it said.

In a separate statement, telecoms carrier Telstra said on its Web site it would pull the plug on the service on Dec. 10, explaining that many of the features of i-mode were available on its “BigPond” mobile service. Telstra would be the first carrier to quit i-mode. On Tuesday 02 said it had around 260,000 active users.

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1. Telstra Bringing i-mode to Australia
2. i-mode Getting Results at Telstra
3. Telstra Brings i-mode to Australia
4. Telstra Launches i-Mode
5. Telstra Selects ACCESS NetFront i-mode Global Profile

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!