KPN had been thought unlikely to allow its rival to gain rights to the system, which is considered an important service differentiator for its German network, E-Plus. But reports suggest DoCoMo is now pushing KPN to renegotiate its exclusive contract to offer i-mode in Germany to allow in O2. E-Plus has come under renewed pressure from a revived O2 service for the number-three spot among the country’s mobile operators.
A successful resolution would be a major fillip to DoCoMo’s efforts to expand its international business. An O2 launch of i-mode in the UK and Ireland would significantly expand the platform’s footprint in Western Europe, which so far covers the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Spain, and Greece.
