SingTel, Japan's DoCoMo sign 3G pact

Singapore Telecommunications Ltd signed an agreement with NTT DoCoMo Inc to explore and develop 3G cellular technology.

Singapore Telecommunications Ltd said it had signed an agreement with Japan's largest mobile operator NTT DoCoMo Inc to explore and develop third-generation cellular technology.

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Both operators will work towards integrating their respective 3G networks to boost roaming between Singapore and Japan, it said.

SingTel, majority owned by the Singapore government, said the pact with DoCoMo also included collaborative efforts in multimedia services and wireless local area networks (LANs).

"The collaboration will help us take a step towards addressing some of the key concerns regarding 3G such as evolving common standards, roaming issues and compatibility of handsets," said SingTel Mobile Chief Executive Lucas Chow.

Shares in SingTel, the largest pan-Asian telco, ended three cents lower at S$1.42 on Tuesday.

Telecom operators, some who have paid billions for their 3G licences, are betting the advanced mobile technology, which allows high-speed Internet access, voice, data and video streaming over a cellphone, will take users by storm.