Softbank bringing iPhone to Japan

0 Comments | AFP, June, 2008

TOKYO (AFP) — Japan's number three mobile cellphone operator Softbank Mobile announced on Tuesday it will introduce a new version of Apple's iPhone next month as rival NTT DoCoMo said it had no plan to offer the handset.

Softbank Mobile will launch the iPhone 3G on July 11, the company said in a joint statement with Apple, which on Monday unveiled a new version of the phone for high-speed wireless networks with faster Internet access and more features.

The price will be 199 dollars all around the world, chief executive Steve Jobs said.

Softbank Mobile hopes that the launch of the iPhone here will further boost its efforts to woo subscribers away from larger rivals NTT DoCoMo and KDDI.

NTT president Masao Nakamura said his company had no plans for now...