TOKYO—NTT DoCoMo Inc. said it will lead a consortium of 35 companies conducting field trials using a newly developed FOMA mobile communications platform enabling multiple people to participate in mobile video conferencing.
The platform allows a phone screen to split into four windows to show each person involved simultaneously with an optional switch allowing full-screen display of each person as he or she speaks.
DoCoMo also announced steps it will take to handle the expected increase in wireless traffic surrounding the upcoming 2002 FIFA World Cup, including boosting base station capacity near stadiums by 150 percent, installing proprietary in-building mobile communications systems in several sports facilities and media centers, and deploying portable mobile stations to stadiums during games.
The carrier also said it may place certain restrictions on mobile-phone use around the stadiums, noting customers located outside the stadiums would not be affected by the network congestion.
