NTT DoCoMo and online shopping-mall operator Rakuten are joining forces to set up a company to expand the growing online auction business in Japan on mobiles phones

Telecom Asia, Nov, 2005

NTT DoCoMo and online shopping-mall operator Rakuten are joining forces to set up a company to expand the growing online auction business in Japan on mobiles phones. Under the partnership, Rakuten will spin off a part of its Internet auction business as Rakuten Auction on December 1, and DoCoMo will acquire 40% of Rakuten Auction's shares for 4.2b yen ($37m).

Softbank BB interconnects its IP network with the networks of four companies, including rival NTT Communications, to offer lower charges for users.