NTT Docomo - Japan
NTT Docomo (Japan) uses 3 UMTS bands, 6 LTE bands, and 3 5G NR bands. Find out if your unlocked phone or mobile device will work with NTT Docomo (Japan). See the tables below for details.
Check device compatibilityCarrier website: http://www.nttdocomo.co.jp
Last updated: 2024/08/03 - See latest updates
NTT Docomo, Inc., commonly known as Docomo, is Japan's largest mobile phone operator and a subsidiary of Nippon Telegraph and Telephone (NTT). The company was spun off from NTT in August 1991 to manage mobile cellular operations and was re-privatized in 2020, with NTT regaining majority ownership.
Key Services and Technologies
- Network Services: Docomo provides a wide range of wireless services, including 2G (mova), 3G (FOMA), 4G LTE, and 5G NR services. It was the first to launch the world's first 3G service based on W-CDMA technology in 2001 and introduced one of the earliest commercial LTE services in 2010.
- i-mode: Docomo is the creator of the i-mode service, which offers internet and email access to over 50 million subscribers. This service was launched in 1999 and played a significant role in popularizing mobile internet in Japan.
- 5G Services: Docomo launched its 5G NR service, DoCoMo 5G, on March 25, 2020, aiming to provide advanced mobile services with high-speed data transfer capabilities.
Customer Base and Market Position
- Subscribers: As of March 2021, Docomo had over 82.6 million subscribers, making it the largest wireless carrier in Japan.
- Global Reach: Docomo has a significant presence in Japan but also operates wholly owned subsidiaries in Europe and North America, and engages in strategic alliances with mobile and multimedia service providers in the Asia-Pacific and European regions.
Innovations and Partnerships
- FIDO Authentication: Docomo has deployed FIDO Authentication to its customers, allowing them to use biometric authentication methods such as fingerprint touch, fingerprint swipe, and iris recognition on iOS and Android devices.
- Research and Development: Docomo operates extensive R&D centers in Japan, China, Germany, and the USA, collaborating with leading-edge technology innovators to develop next-generation devices, services, and networks.
Corporate Structure and Governance
- Ownership: The majority of Docomo's shares are owned by NTT, which is 33.71% government-owned. This structure ensures control by Japanese interests.
- Leadership: The company is headed by President and CEO Yoshiaki Maeda, with a diverse board of directors and senior executives overseeing various aspects of the business.
Recent Developments
- 5G Advancements: In July 2024, Docomo announced plans to offer Japan's fastest 5G SA service with download speeds up to 6.6Gbps.
- International Collaborations: Docomo has formed a joint venture with DatVietVAC and DatVietOOH to support digital out-of-home businesses in Vietnam, leveraging location-based data.
Overall, NTT Docomo is a leading player in Japan's mobile telecommunications market, known for its innovative services, extensive R&D efforts, and strategic partnerships.
Frequency Bands
UMTS
| Name | Interface | Description |
|---|---|---|
| B1 (2100 MHz) | UMTS | NTT Docomo Japan uses the UMTS B1 (2100 MHz) frequency band. This band is widely used for 3G services and is supported by various networks and devices globally. It is particularly notable for its extensive use in many countries, including Japan. |
| B9 (1800 MHz Japan) | UMTS | NTT Docomo Japan uses the UMTS B9 (1800 MHz Japan) frequency band. This band was deployed for UMTS services. |
| B19 (800 MHz Japan) | UMTS | NTT Docomo Japan uses the UMTS band B19 (800 MHz Japan) for its mobile communication services. This band is widely used nationwide for both 4G LTE and 3G services. It is a low-frequency band known as the platinum band, which allows radio waves to spread widely and secure a wide wireless area for mobile phones. However, the communication speed is lower compared to higher frequencies. The 800 MHz band is also used to cover rural areas effectively due to its good building penetration and ability to carry the signal further. |
Supported UMTS Protocols
| Name | Generation |
|---|---|
| UMTS | 3G |
| HSPA+ | 3.5G (4G speed) |
LTE
| Name | Interface | Description |
|---|---|---|
| B1 (2100 MHz) | LTE | NTT Docomo Japan uses LTE band B1 (2100 MHz). This band was deployed in 2010 when NTT Docomo began its Long Term Evolution (LTE) services. |
| B19 (800 MHz Upper) | LTE | NTT Docomo Japan uses LTE band B19 (800 MHz Upper) for its mobile network. This band is part of the Platinum Bands in Japan, known for its ability to carry signals further and penetrate buildings well, making it suitable for rural areas. The deployment of this band is not specified in the provided information. |
| B21 (1500 MHz Upper) | LTE | NTT Docomo Japan uses LTE band B21 (1500 MHz Upper). This band is one of the exclusive bands in Japan, requiring special hardware dedicated to those bands. It is used as a fallback band in cities where other bands cannot be used. |
| B28 (700 MHz APT) | LTE | NTT Docomo Japan uses the LTE frequency band B28, which corresponds to the 700 MHz APT (Advanced Portable Telecommunications) band. This band is used for TDD (Time Division Duplex) mode and operates in the frequency range of 703 MHz to 803 MHz for the uplink and 729 MHz to 746 MHz for the downlink. The band is used worldwide except in North America. |
| B3 (1800 MHz +) | LTE | NTT Docomo Japan uses LTE band B3 (1800 MHz). This band is deployed in urban areas and is a good compromise between the two bands used in rural and heavily-populated areas. It is restricted to the Tokyo-Nagoya-Osaka axis to avoid interferences with military bands, limiting its nationwide coverage. |
| B42 (TD 3500 MHz) | LTE | NTT Docomo Japan uses LTE Band 42 (TD 3500 MHz) for mobile services. This band operates in the frequency range of 3400 – 3600 MHz and supports various channel bandwidths, including 5, 10, 15, and 20 MHz. The coverage area is approximately 88.60 square kilometers at -100 dBm. The band is used in the Time Division Duplex (TDD) mode and supports different aggregation scenarios such as CA *42C (B42+B42), CA *42D (B42+B42+B42), and CA_1A-42A (B1+B42). |
Supported LTE Protocols
| Name | Generation |
|---|---|
| LTE | 4G |
| LTE-A | 4G |
5G NR
| Name | Interface | Description |
|---|---|---|
| N78 (3500 MHz) | 5G NR | NTT Docomo Japan uses the 3.7 GHz band (n77) for 5G NR. This frequency band was deployed in Japan in April 2019, as part of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications' allocation of new frequencies for the 5th generation mobile communications system (5G). |
| N79 (4700 MHz) | 5G NR | NTT Docomo Japan uses the 5G NR N79 frequency band, which operates at 4700 MHz. This band is supported only by NTT Docomo and is not expected to be used for 5G NR worldwide. The deployment of this specific frequency band is not mentioned in the provided information. |
| N257 (mmWave 28 GHz) | 5G NR | NTT Docomo Japan uses the 28 GHz band (N257) for its 5G NR network. This frequency band is part of the millimeter-wave (mmWave) spectrum, which is known for its high-frequency and high-speed capabilities. The deployment of this band began in 2020, with the goal of enhancing indoor and outdoor coverage, particularly in areas where traditional line-of-sight signals are challenging to maintain. |
Latest updates
- 2024/08/03 - Frequency 5G NR N257 (mmWave 28 GHz) added to NTT Docomo Japan.
- 2024/08/03 - Frequency LTE B9 (1800 MHz) removed from NTT Docomo Japan.
- 2024/08/03 - Frequency LTE B3 (1800 MHz +) added to NTT Docomo Japan.
- 2024/08/03 - Frequency LTE B42 (TD 3500 MHz) added to NTT Docomo Japan.
- 2024/08/03 - Frequency 5G NR N78 (3500 MHz) added to NTT Docomo Japan.
- 2024/08/03 - Frequency 5G NR N79 (4700 MHz) added to NTT Docomo Japan.
