He also suggests the tiny, featherweight i-mode phones might not be suitable for 3G technology because their screens are too small for video images. (Actually, some i-mode phones come with larger screens.) "The phones aren't all that easy to use, " says Neuvo.
Although it is not a full third-generation service, i-mode already offers some multimedia services and Internet access, which has helped it to gain 30m customers in Japan in three years.