Operators told to remove restrictions on handsets

TOKYO, JAPAN:Japan's government will call on mobile phone operators this year to remove restrictions on handsets that currently block use of different SIM cards, media reported on Saturday.

The government will outline guidelines in the next few months and implement the change by the end of the year, the Nikkei business daily quoted Masamitsu Naito, senior vice minister for internal affairs communications, as saying.

The move, which will make it easier for consumers to switch phone operators, is aimed at increasing competition in the industry and will likely lead to broader services and lower prices, the Nikkei said.

At present, mobile phone handsets in Japan are developed exclusively for a particular service provider. By removing limits on SIM card use, callers will be able to switch phone operators without changing handsets.

The removal of restrictions is seen benefitting Japan's largest mobile phone operator NTT DoCoMo, since the company offers broad reception and high voice quality, the Nikkei said.

No. 3 wireless firm Softbank, which has enjoyed subscriber growth as the sole provider for Apple's iPhone in Japan, could see customers switch to DoCoMo for better connectivity, the business daily said.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications could not be reached for comment.