DoCoMo to launch Galaxy S handset in Oct

TOKYO, JAPAN: NTT DoCoMo Inc, Japan's biggest mobile phone operator, said on Wednesday it plans to launch Samsung Electronics Co's Galaxy S handset in October this year and a tablet-type phone by March 2011 to beef up its smartphone line-up.

Chief executive Ryuji Yamada also told Reuters in an interview that DoCoMo, which boasts more than 56.5 million users, is discussing future devices with Samsung, which could include a tablet device.

The tablet market has essentially been created by Apple Inc's iPad, and a slew of such machines are hitting the market this year from companies like Dell Inc and Toshiba Corp.

Yamada declined to confirm or deny whether the tablet phone it plans to launch this business year will be made by Samsung.

DoCoMo has been trying to increase its smartphone offerings as rival Softbank Corp attracts consumers with Apple's iPhone and iPad.

The Galaxy S is Samsung's answer to the iPhone 4, the latest version of wildly popular iPhone. The world's second-biggest maker of mobile phones is launching the handset with 100 carriers including the top five U.S. carriers.

DoCoMo has been trying to offer iPhones and iPads as well, and Yamada reiterated that the company has not given up on the devices.