June 7, 2001 (TOKYO) -- NTT DoCoMo Inc. began a 3G cell phone service on a test basis on May 30 in Tokyo and parts of Kawasaki and Yokohama in Kanagawa Prefecture. Although there have been complaints about the glitches in the service, users are enthusiastic about the high-speed data transmission. The company is working to iron out the technical difficulties before commercial operations begin on Oct. 1.

On May 31, NTT DoCoMo's 3G service, called FOMA, hit a snag. Users were unable to receive e-mail because the server had broken down, and service was not restored until past noon the following day.

The company had originally planned to start commercial operations of FOMA in May. But since it could not solve all the technical problems by then, it began the four-month test service last week for 4,500 customers. The distribution of handsets with video-phone functions has also been delayed due to software problems.

Users have commented favorably on the smart design of the 3G handsets, as well as FOMA's superior sound quality and high-speed downloading of contents using the i-mode Internet access service.

But they also complain that it is often difficult to make calls within Tokyo and the batteries do not last long.

"We have explained to users that they may be inconvenienced during the test service. We plan to improve the service based on the questionnaires the users will fill out," a public relations official of NTT DoCoMo said.