NTT DoCoMo recalls 1500 3G phones

Japanese telco NTT DoCoMo announced today it would recall 1500 FOMA N2002 third-generation mobile phones because of a software glitch.

The phone freezes when accessing what the company described as a “small number” of Web sites incorporating “certain site-construction specifications.” When this occurs, data is erased, including stored I-mode mail, details concerning incoming and outgoing calls, and various user settings. However, NTT DoCoMo said voice communications and other functions--for example, the phone’s telephone directory, downloaded I-motion data, and ring melody and screen--are not affected.

The carrier will begin replacing the affected handsets beginning Dec. 1 at NTT DoCoMo branch offices and affiliated retail shops. Meanwhile, sales of the FOMA N2002 model have been suspended and are scheduled to resume Dec. 1.

--Glenn Bischoff, senior news writer