NTT DOCOMO plans to launch of Xi™ (read “Crossy”), LTE Service on December 24, 2010 in Japan.

NTT DOCOMO plans to launch of Xi™ (read “Crossy”), LTE Service on December 24, 2010 in Japan. With a maximum downlink speed of 75 Mbps, DOCOMO initially will sell Xi data terminals with the USB-type L-02C.

Voice calls using Xi will become possible starting in April 2011, when DOCOMO will begin launching LTE-compatible mobile phones.

LTE service initially will be available in the Tokyo, Nagoya and Osaka areas, with other major cities and regions to be added thereafter.

At launch, two data-only billing plans will be offered: “Xi Data Plan Ninen” and “Xi Data Plan.” Xi Data Plan Ninen, which will require a two-year contract, costs between 1,000 and 6,510 yen (including tax) for up to 5 gigabytes (GB) of data per month. As a special introductory offer, the maximum monthly charge for unlimited data using Xi Data Plan Ninen will be 4,935 yen trough April 2012. Billing plans for Xi voice services will be announced later.