Symbian to benefit from DoCoMo Microsoft snub

It'll be big in Japan

By Jo Best, 5 December 2003 16:05

NEWS Symbian looks to be the chief beneficiary of DoCoMo's move away from Microsoft, with the Japanese mobile operator deciding to look at non-proprietary operating systems for its phones.

DoCoMo announced yesterday that it wouldn't be choosing Microsoft as an operating system and would instead be promoting the Linux and Symbian OSes for its phones in order to keep costs down and make life easier for developers.

DoCoMo announced its third-generation service is looking healthy, adding it expects its 3G subscribers to reach 2 million by March next year and 25 million by 2006 – they currently number around 1.25m – as the operator is hoping price cuts it has instituted on its 3G models will be enough to encourage users to upgrade.

It's thought the announcement by DoCoMo officials will come as a blow to Microsoft, which has been pushing for 3G manufacturers to choose its software and has seen its influence wane in the Asian mobile sector.

Other manufacturers in the market, including Fujitsu and Matsushita, have already snubbed Microsoft and chosen Symbian for their phones.

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