Global DoCoMo i-mode Subscriber Statistics - Update

i-mode Business Strategy has prepared a table of global i-mode alliance partners.

The table also mentions potential alliance partners as learnt from market intelligence. You'll find the current table in the left-hand column of the homepage below the Categories listing.

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i-mode Alliance Partners NTT DoCoMo 42m Japan Total 49m Asia-Pacific 　 Far EasTone 470,000 Taiwan Total 7.2m i-mode Growth // Starhub L11/2005* Singapore Total 1.2m i-mode Growth /// Telstra 30,000 Australia Total 7.4m i-mode Growth // Europe 　 E-Plus 1.1m Germany Total 7.8m i-mode Growth / KPN 0.8m Holland Total 4.9m i-mode Growth / BASE 300,000 Belgium Total 1.4m i-mode Growth /// Bouygues 1.1m France Total 7.2m i-mode Growth //// Telefonica 1.1m Spain Total 72m i-mode Growth /// WIND 0.8m Italy Total 11m i-mode Growth /// Cosmote 500,000 Greece Total 4.2m i-mode Growth //// Globul R2005* Bulgaria Total 1.3m O2 L2005* UK Total 14.2m i-mode Growth O2 L2005* Ireland Total 1.5m i-mode Growth O2 L2005* Germany Total 7.4m i-mode Growth Europe Total i-mode 5.3m Partner Total 131.7m 2006 Target 10m Russia & CIS MTS L2005* Total 31m i-mode Growth Ru CIS Total i-mode L2005* Partner Total 35m Penetration 41% Catchment 226m people Rest of World Cellcom L2005* Israel Total 2.4m World Total Partner Total 233.7m Outside Japan 194.7m i-mode 45.8m Outside Japan 5.8m 2010 Target 100m June 2005 -- Jan 2005 5m June 2004 3m Jan 2004 2m 3G 12m Vodafone 155m Voda Live! 27.5m 3G Live! 5m *L = Launch  R = Rumor  Updated April 30, 2005

Global i-mode Alliance Partners Outside of Japan the table lists partners by region. The first line of each entry gives the number of i-mode subscribers. This is based upon the most recent reports and analysis, and taking into account periods of time between the reports and the moment at which the table is updated - that is we project for growth where possible. e.g. E-plus          700,000 The second line gives the country of the partner and their total number of subscribers including i-mode. e.g. Germany  Total     7.8m The third line gives an impression of the rate of growth in the i-mode subscriber base for that partner. This rate of growth can be from a small base and in that case would show a strong rate (as indicated by the number of bars) but may still represent a small absolute number. e.g. i-mode Growth  /// For Europe we provide a summary of the total number of i-mode subscribers, along with the total number of subscribers for the i-mode-alliance partners, and the DoCoMo target for 2006. For the World we note the total partner subscriber numbers, then the total number of i-mode subscribers and the number outside Japan, and make reference to the NTT DoCoMo stated goal of achieving 100m i-mode subscribers outside of Japan by 2010. Also we note the 3G numbers for i-mode. Finally, where we have information and analysis we include potential i-mode partners, such as Cellcom in Israel as noted in the September 2004 table. Some entries have codes for their i-mode subscriber field: L indicates a Launch Date, official or unofficial. R indicates a rumoured date for the partnership to be made public. i-mode World

For a contrast we also include the latest Vodafone subscriber numbers as Vodafone offers a global competitor to the dream of NTT DoCoMo and i-mode. (As at the end of December 2004 Vodafone had 150 million customers, excluding paging customers, calculated on a proportionate basis in accordance with the Company's percentage interest in their local ventures.)

If you have better information or more current information about actual subscriber numbers or rumours of new i-mode alliance partners then please post below or email.

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To understand better the i-mode business model see my related blogs:

Why the Open Mobile Terminal Platform Alliance is a Win for the i-mode Business Model - here
Why the Analysts Have It Wrong About Telstra's new i-mode Alliance - here
The Delicate Balancing Act of Sustainability for Mobile Game Content Providers - here

What's your view on the future of the global i-mode ambitions of NTT DoCoMo? Post your Comments.

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