DoCoMo Posts 1st Net Subscription Growth In 2 Months

TOKYO (Nikkei)--NTT DoCoMo Inc. (9437) gained 143,400 subscriptions on a net basis in February, for its first net growth in two months, according to figures released Thursday.

One major reason was the January implementation of a student discount plan waiving basic fees for three years.

The exodus to KDDI Corp.'s (9433) au and Softbank Corp.'s (9984) mobile unit continued: more subscribers left DoCoMo than joined it through the number portability system, widening its net loss in that category to 93,200 from the year-earlier 81,600. Strong sales of spring handset models did not lead to many new subscribers, since many existing customers were simply upgrading their phones.

Softbank Mobile Corp. led the pack in net growth for a 14th consecutive month, picking up 255,300 subscriptions, while KDDI added 212,700. Apple Inc.'s iPhone 5 and iPad continued to sell well.

KDDI enjoyed the greatest net growth through the number portability system for the 17th month in a row, at 62,900 subscriptions, while Softbank netted 31,200.

(The Nikkei, March 8 morning edition)

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