NTT Docomo announced that it will launch its LTE service branded as Xi on 24 December. The service will initially offer download speeds of up to 75Mbps and upload up to 37.5Mbps, ten times faster than its current 3G network, and be available for use with computers via USB modem. The company expects to launch the first handsets and voice services in its next fiscal year, which starts in April 2011. An additional ExpressCard-type terminal for LTE, enabling mobile video streaming and live video conferencing at speeds similar to fibre connections, will launch in April next year. The Xi service initially will be available in the Tokyo, Nagoya and Osaka areas, with other major cities and regions to be added thereafter. The data-only service will be available with two plans, Xi Data Plan Ninen and Xi Data Plan. The plans cost respectively JPY JPY 1,000 and JPY 2,470 for the first 3,177 KB of data, after which they are billed JPY 0.315 per KB up to 20,667 KB. After that customers pay respectively JPY 6,510 or JPY 7,980 for up to 5 GB a month. Over 5 GB, customers will be charged JPY 2,625 for each 2 GB. As a special introductory offer, the maximum monthly charge for unlimited data using Xi Data Plan Ninen will be JPY 4,935 through April 2012.
