DoCoMo to recall 3G handsets

NTT DoCoMo Inc. is already recalling handsets for the 3G (third-generation) mobile communication service it launched in October, the company announced Monday.

The NEC Corp. N2002, the latest model for NTT DoCoMo's 3G FOMA service, was rolled out a week ago. Since then, a software bug has been found in about 1,500 of the handsets which can delete data from some functions, including e-mail, when certain sites are accessed, according to a statement from NTT DoCoMo.

Sale of the handsets has been temporarily suspended since Monday. The company will start exchanging and reselling the handsets from Dec. 1, the statement said.

As mobile handsets become more sophisticated, software glitches have become one of the biggest problems handset makers face. NTT DoCoMo recalled several handset models manufactured by Sony Corp. and Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. Ltd. for its older mobile phone network earlier this year. This is the first time handsets manufactured by NEC have been recalled this year, NTT DoCoMo said.