NTT DoCoMo to tie up with Google

TOKYO, JAPAN: Japan's NTT DoCoMo Inc is considering a tie-up with Google Inc with a view to adopting the Web giant's search and email features in its mobile phone Internet service, company sources said on Tuesday.

The alliance may lead to the development of new functions and handsets, they said.

The move is a strategic shift for Japan's largest wireless operator, which usually handles such matters as communications infrastructure and services on its own.

Shares of DoCoMo rose 3.3 percent to 190,000 yen by mid-morning, outperforming a 1.9 percent gain by the benchmark Nikkei average.

"We are currently studying the possibility of an alliance in search services with domestic or overseas partners, but nothing has been decided yet," DoCoMo spokesman Hiroto Nakagawa said.

Starting as early as spring, users will be able to access Goolge searches, email, scheduling and photo-saving features through DoCoMo's i-mode network service, the Nikkei business daily said.

(c)Reuters