DoCoMo is set to launch a new system tomorrow that allows FOMA users to make better use of their mobile phones during disasters and big events.

NTT DoCoMo will launch a new system o­n August 22nd that allows them to control the network traffic of voice calls and packet transmission. This will enhance the effectiveness of the disaster information services offered by DoCoMo; even if a person is not able to be reached with a voice call because of high network utilization, they may be able to be reached by email.

It goes without saying that when a large number of phone calls or transmissions are made at the same time, it places stress o­n the phone network; to prevent catastrophic failure, certain transmissions are prevented. This is why you may have had trouble reaching someone in the event of a disaster or something big. Though DoCoMo had previously operated a system that would distinguish between voice calls and packet transmissions, this system was not compatible with FOMA.

In the case of FOMA, however, the ability to recognize and control voice calls versus data transmissions is o­n the handset itself. Therefore, a supported handset is required. Currently, the following 11 handsets are supported: D902iS, F902iS, N902iS, P902iS, SH902iS, DOLCE SL, SH702iS, D702iF, N702iS, P702iD, and the N902iX HIGH-SPEED.

Inspired by:
http://plusd.itmedia.co.jp/mobile/articles/0608/21/news047.html