The Japanese cell phone operator has announced it will cease production of the 2G terminals immediately after it launches the last two models of this type, an event which will take place this year.

Japan's number one cell phone operator develops terminals together with renowned producers, and the increasing demand for cell phones compatible with the latest communication technology has determined the reorientation towards 3G phones, available through the service FOMA (freedom of mobile multimedia access) 3G.

The last models launched this year at NTT DoCoMo will be the end of the 2G cell phone production. Nec, Panasonic and other developers working with NTT DoCoMo have already started the research and development procedures for the new 3G terminals.

DoCoMo has tried before to stimulate its users to adopt 3G services, and in February the operator launched 3G compatible phones priced $92 less than existing models.

The operator has no intention of stopping here, and it will soon launch two new models of phones, one without image capture capabilities and the other with incorporated digital player. DoCoMo will double the number of cell phone suppliers, benefiting in this way on the contribution of 10 major mobile terminal producers and in the same time have a much better control of prices.