[NTT DoCoMo suspends sales of some Mitubishi handsets following reports of batteries possibly rupturing during charging if the batteries have been subjected to a strong external impact.]

NTT DoCoMo, Inc. and its eight regional subsidiaries and Mitsubishi Electric Corporation announced today that some D06 series batteries manufactured through May 2006 and installed in DoCoMo FOMA D902i handsets could generate excessive heat and possibly rupture during charging if the batteries have been subjected to a strong external impact.

The problem is due to deformed electrode plates installed in the batteries. If the batteries are accidentally subjected to a strong external impact that results in a surface dent or similar depression, the deformed plates could pierce the batteries' internal insulation, resulting in an electrical short during, or right after, charging.

The companies estimate that some 1.3 million D06 series batteries were manufactured through May 2006. The labels on these batteries bear one of the following clearly marked three-letter codes: OKA, OLA, PAA, PBA, PCA, PDA or PEA.

All D902i handsets owners will be directly mailed letters informing them that they will receive replacement batteries. Also, owners of D902iS and D903i handsets, which may possibly be equipped with the defective D06 batteries, will be directly mailed letters alerting them to check if their batteries bear any of the specified three-letter codes. Replacement batteries will then be sent to users accordingly.

Advisories will also be posted on the companies' websites, DoCoMo's i-mode portal site and in media advertisements.

For more information, users in Japan may call 0120-800-000 (toll-free) or 151 or 113 (from DoCoMo handsets) between 9 am and 8 pm (including Saturdays, Sundays and holidays) effective today.

To date, DoCoMo has confirmed that one D06 battery has ruptured due to the problem. In addition, 17 other cases of D06 battery rupture or overheating have been reported. So far, DoCoMo has confirmed that in a number of these cases, the malfunctioning batteries had been subjected to extremely strong impact. The other cases are still being investigated.

Sales of the D902i, D902iS and D903i have been suspended for the time being.

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