NTT Docomo to lessen mobile phone charges

NTT Docomo Inc plans to cut cellular phone fees across the board, sources familiar with the matter said, becoming the first of Japan's main carriers to take action following a government demand the industry to lessen charges.

NTT Docomo said Wednesday it'll hold a press conference on fresh service plans Thursday, of which it is likely to outline the details of the lower charges. The brand new service ideas from Japan's leading cellular phone operator by subscribers could spark price competition in market in which the three largest carriers, incorporating KDDI Corp and SoftBank Corp, control approximately 90 percent.

Primary Minister Yoshihide Suga has asked cellular phone carriers to slash charges, saying their expenses are high weighed against other countries.

Prior to taking office in September, Suga said "healthful competition" was necessary and the three cellular phone companies should give cheaper plans given their profit margins of around 20 percent that are greater than other infrastructure suppliers such as utilities.

KDDI and SoftBank have previously said their budget brands will offer you 20-gigabyte plans in lower prices of round 4,000 yen per month.

NTT Docomo is preparing to bolster its competitiveness by learning to be a wholly owned product of mother or father Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corp by the finish of the month.

The No. 1 cellular phone carrier ideas to launch a low-cost brand like its domestic rivals and offer 20-gigabyte monthly strategies at around 3,000 yen, the options said.

But mainly because Ryota Takeda, the telecommunications minister, has continued to demand that the top three bands cut service fees, NTT Docomo ideas to slash its own service plans as well.