Japan has definitively closed the 3G mobile phone era. NTT Docomo shut down its FOMA network on March 31, 2026, and also concluded i-mode, the historic service that allowed millions of Japanese users to access the Internet and email from their mobile phones well before the smartphone era. With this decision, the operator ends the last active 3G network remaining in the country.
The move carries significant symbolic weight. i-mode launched in February 1999, while FOMA—NTT Docomo’s 3G commercial brand—debuted in October 2001. Over the years, both services shaped the Japanese mobile market and made Japan one of the world’s most advanced countries in mobile data services. Even Docomo now acknowledges that, with the expansion of 4G and 5G, the number of users on these legacy platforms had declined enough to justify their retirement.
The company’s official explanation is clear: shutting down FOMA and i-mode will enable better utilization of the radio spectrum and allow it to be allocated to higher-quality communication services. This approach has been followed by other Japanese telecom providers in recent years, as well as in many other markets worldwide. In Japan’s case, Docomo’s decision follows KDDI shutting down its 3G network in March 2022, and SoftBank completing its shutdown in 2024, with an additional extension in Ishikawa until July 31, 2024, due to the impact of the Noto earthquake.
For users, the shutdown not only affects those still using 3G-only devices. Docomo had already warned in 2025 that some 4G phones without VoLTE support or with VoLTE disabled might experience issues, especially with voice calls and emergency services during congestion. Consequently, the company periodically delivered voice messages to remind customers to upgrade their devices or check configurations before the final service cut-off.
The end of FOMA and i-mode also marks the conclusion of a very particular chapter in mobile technology history. Before Android and the iPhone dominated, Japan developed its own ecosystem of advanced mobile services, pioneering integrated email, web browsing, payments, and digital content. For years, i-mode exemplified how a carrier could build a comprehensive digital platform around mobile phones. Its disappearance in 2026 reflects how the market has largely converged toward modern IP networks, global applications, and LTE and 5G-based services.
From an industry perspective, Docomo’s decision was predictable. Maintaining legacy networks incurs rising costs and increasingly limited commercial viability as operators require more capacity for 4G, 5G, and future advanced services. KDDI, for example, highlighted energy savings and cost reductions resulting from shuttering its 3G network. In other words, closing these networks is not just a technological decision; it’s also about operational efficiency, sustainability, and spectrum reuse.
With this step, Japan leaves behind an infrastructure that was key to the evolution of the global mobile market. The country that long symbolized the future of mobile Internet now concludes one of its most unique chapters: the era of FOMA phones and the i-mode universe.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did NTT Docomo shut down its 3G network?
NTT Docomo closed FOMA and i-mode on March 31, 2026.
What exactly was FOMA?
FOMA was NTT Docomo’s commercial brand for its 3G network, launched in October 2001.
What was i-mode?
i-mode was Docomo’s mobile Internet and email service, launched in February 1999, and one of the major milestones in Japan’s mobile telephony history.
Does Japan now have no active 3G networks?
Yes. With Docomo’s shutdown, Japan no longer has any active large 3G networks, following previous shutdowns by KDDI in 2022 and SoftBank in 2024.