NTT DoCoMo Nears Deal With Apple To Offer IPhone In Japan: Nikkei Reports

(RTTNews) - Japanese mobile operator NTT DoCoMo Inc. (DCM) is expected to start offering Apple Inc's (AAPL) iPhone as early as autumn, The Nikkei reported Thursday.

DoCoMo's rivals KDDI Corp and SoftBank Corp. (SFTBF.PK) already market the smartphone.

As per report, both DoCoMo and Apple are in the final stages of deciding on the terms of a deal.

Apple is widely expected to launch its latest version of iPhone model on Tuesday. It is likely that DoCoMo's marketing partnership with Apple is also be announced on the same day, the Nikkei said, without quoting sources.

The report added that DoCoMo will likely sell the iPhone at prices comparable to those charged by KDDI and SoftBank.

Since 2008, when SoftBank rolled out the iPhone, DoCoMo is said to have lost more than 3.5 million subscribers to other carriers through the number portability program.

DoCoMo has already promoted smartphones from Japanese consumer electronics giant Sony Corp. (SON.L, SNE), and Samsung Electronics Co. (SSNNF.PK).

In Japan, DoCoMo shares closed today's trading at 160,500 yen, up 900 yen or 0.56 percent.

Apple shares closed Thursday's trading at $495.27, down $3.42 or 0.69 percent. In the extended trading, shares gained 0.35 percent and traded at $497.