NTT DOCOMO’S OPENS R&D CENTER FOR W-CDMA

NTT of Japan’s new research and development center opened in Yokosuka, south of Tokyo, at the end of March. The new facility, with a total floor area of 50,000 square meters and employing 300 researchers, will become the nucleus of DoCoMo’s research and development effort for W-CDMA (Wideband Code Division Multiple Access). In cooperation with both domestic and foreign carriers, NTT DoCoMo was scheduled to launch indoor tests for W-CDMA in April and outdoor tests in October; 10 manufacturing firms are supplying equipment for the tests. NTT DoCoMo plans to launch services based on W-CDMA at the beginning of 2001.