TOKYO-NTT DoCoMo and America Online Inc. are reported to have reached a basic agreement about forming a joint venture, Yomiuri Shimbun reported last week.
NTT DoCoMo denied the report, saying there was no such agreement as of Aug. 21.
During the last few weeks, additional press reports have speculated that a partnership between the two firms was near.
According to the Japanese national daily, both firms will provide Internet services for mobile users around the world through the joint venture.
The paper also reported NTT DoCoMo would become the largest shareholder for AOL Japan. At the moment, AOL has 50 percent of the stake in AOL Japan, Mitsui & Co. has 40 percent and Nikkei Shimbun has the remaining 10 percent. AOL Japan declined to comment.
