Japanese number one operator NTT Docomo is reported to have asked Google to modify its Android platform so that smartphones using it will generate less data use, according to a report originating from business publication Nikkei.

Apparently, the operator has identified an unspecified Android app which offers free voice services as a major cause behind a service disruption. However, the actual issue is related to the frequency of background updates and the radio resource signalling sent rather than the voice traffic itself.

According to a Reuters report, Docomo is looking to work with other service providers and Google to ask Android developers to limit the amount of control data their apps transmit. However, due to the open nature of the Android platform, there is little it can do to enforce this condition.

Late last year, it was reported that visual voicemail app YouMail had been temporarily removed from Android Market, after T-Mobile USA complained about the amount of data it was using. This was caused by a glitch in an update, which led to the app continuously polling YouMail’s servers.