- Message from the President
- Outline of the NTT Group and the role of the holding company/Overview of reporting organization
- Basic approach to CSR
- Management organization
- Featured activities from fiscal 2007
- Communication between people and their communities
- Communication between people and the global environment
- Safe and secure communication
- Providing Safe and Secure Communications Services
- Providing Communications Services to Withstand Disasters
- Creating a Safe and Secure Environment for ICT Users
- Ensuring Information Security
- Raising Public Awareness about Appropriate Use of Communications Technology
- Improving the Quality of Our Products and Services
- Product and Service Safety Measures
- Team NTT communication
- In partnership with our customers, shareholders, investors, and other stakeholders
- Third party opinion
- Editorial notes
- GRI index
- Questionnaire
- CSR Report PDF download
- Back issues
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Product and Service Safety Measures
- Researching the effects of radio waves on living organisms
- Taking action on defective mobile phone battery packs
Mobile phone health concerns
Many people are concerned about the effects of radio waves emitted by mobile phones on the human body. The World Health Organization(WHO)and Japan's Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications(MIC)have been investigating the matter, and based on their findings, radio-radiation protection guidelines and regulations have been drawn up in Japan concerning human exposure to electromagnetic fields. NTT DoCoMo operates base stations in strict accordance with those guidelines and regulations and insures that its mobile phone handsets also comply with those guidelines. NTT DoCoMo is also actively conducting its own research into possible effects of radio waves on living organisms with the encouragement of MIC and WHO.For example, in November 2002, NTT DoCoMo, KDDI CORPORATION, and SOFTBANK MOBILE Corp. jointly commissioned Mitsubishi Chemical Safety Institute Ltd. to conduct a long-term study on the effects of radio waves on living organisms. The study, which was concluded with the publication of results in January 2007, identified no adverse effects from radio waves on living organisms at either genetic or cellular levels. To educate the public on the safety of radio waves, NTT DoCoMo began in April 2006 to post information on its website regarding basic knowledge about radio waves, NTT DoCoMo compliance with national radio wave regulations, and actions currently being taken around the globe.
Responding to product-related accidents
When a product-related accident comes to our attention, we promptly release advisories to our customers and recall the product. We then identify the cause of the accident and work diligently to ensure that it does not happen again.Taking action on defective mobile phone battery packsIn December 2006 some battery packs for NTT DoCoMo mobile phones were found to be defective. The battery packs, model number D06, had been manufactured in May 2006 or earlier for use in FOMA D902i, FOMA D902iS, and FOMA D903i mobile phones. We sincerely apologize for any concern or inconvenience this caused for our customers.The D06 batteries could, if subjected to an external impact resulting in a surface scratch or dent, generate excessive heat and possibly rupture. We received one report of a rupture, and 17 reports of overheating or rupture thought to be caused by abnormal or excessive external shock. In response, NTT DoCoMo suspended sales of the FOMA D902i, D902iS, and D903i handsets and DoCoMo Shops were provided with replacement batteries. NTT DoCoMo also conducted an extensive customer notification campaign through direct mail, newspaper advertisements, website, and i-mode news to replace the batteries. The defect was due to problems in the manufacturing process that deformed an electrode plate within the battery in such a way that the plate could come into contact with and damage the battery's insulation sheet. To prevent a reoccurrence of such problems and ensure the safety of its batteries, NTT DoCoMo is reviewing its own safety tests, and in view of the fact that the main cause was a manufacturing defect, suppliers too have been asked to improve product quality and tighten their quality management systems. |
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