NTT DoCoMo: 4G confirmed for December 2010

Japanese mobile phone operator NTT DoCoMo has confirmed it will launch its 4G mobile broadband network in December 2010.

DoCoMo plans to upgrade 20,000 base stations allowing it to cover 50% of Japan with 4G. The 50% coverage mark should be in place by 2014.

At launch, the service will use notebook data cards – with dual 4G / 3G handsets being available from 2011. This will give 4G network coverage where it’s available in Japan with 3G being used as a fill in service where 4G is not available.