DoCoMo cuts ties with 3UK

JAPANESE mobile phones giant NTT DoCoMo is searching for a new British partner after ditching its stake in Hutchison Whampoa's 3 UK.

The relationship broke down over 3's unwillingness to use DoCoMo's
i-mode multimedia system in its phones.

The Japanese group will now hold talks with other groups, including mmO2 and Virgin Mobile. Some analysts believe DoCoMo may even launch a bid for a UK-based firm.

It will soon receive US $6.7bn (£3.8bn) for its stake in America's AT&T Wireless, which has been bought by Cingular, and could use the cash in Europe.

But other sources say the company has been bruised by losses made investing in the late Nineties. One said: 'It has some firepower, but there have been management changes and the strategy is likely to focus on alliances instead of investments.'