Japanese operator NTT Docomo said today that domestic handset manufacturers Fujitsu, NEC, Panasonic and Sharp are to jointly develop a new application platform that will run across its future portfolio of devices. The platform will be compatible with Symbian and Linux operating systems, whilst “compatibility with open operating systems such as Android also is under consideration.” Commercial launch of devices incorporating the new platform is scheduled for the second half of the fiscal year ending in March 2012.

In a statement, Docomo said the new platform will offer improved processing speeds for high-quality video and enhanced 3D graphics processing for advanced mobile multimedia functions. With Docomo planning to launch its LTE network in December, the new platform will likely run across all of its future LTE devices. Electronics makers currently have their own software platforms but the move to unify all systems will lead to 50 percent reductions in development costs of next-generation phones, according to reports. Japan’s Nikkei business daily reported yesterday that the development usually takes one to two years and would cost about JPY20-30 billion (US$213-US$319 million) per model. The platform is planned to be offered to mobile phone manufacturers worldwide. Microcontroller vendor Renesas is also on board.