NTT DoCoMo launches 1 Gbps FTTH, wireless service bundle

Japan's NTT DoCoMo is making its mark on the 1 Gbps broadband services market, announcing that it will start offering a bundle of fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) and mobile services.

Set to be launched on March 1, the service provider will provide its "docomo Hikari," its fiber-based broadband service, combined with "docomo Hikari Pack" wireless service.

The service provider said that eligible customers won't have to sign a contract with another separate ISP because they will be able to select from a number of available ISPs. Customers will also have the option of purchasing the fiber-based broadband service on a stand-alone basis.

Any customer that subscribes to the 1 Gbps service will also be eligible to get docomo Hikari Pack discounts with the existing mobile basic monthly charges, called "Kake-hodai Plan" and "Data Plan."

Under its new pricing plan structure, "Zutto DOCOMO Wari" discounts will be available for subscribers who have been with DoCoMo for at least six years and "U25 Ouen Wari" discounts for budget-minded customers up to age 25, both launched last June, can be applied to docomo Hikari Pack for further discounts.

The debut of this bundle offering follows a decision made by Japan's communications ministry last February to let NTT offer the same discounts to combined wireline and mobile services as its competitors already provide. Up to that point, NTT was prohibited from offering such bundles out of concern that it would regain its over-dominance in Japan's telecom market.

For more:
- see the release

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