KDDI Corp. overtook NTT DoCoMo Inc. in net cell phone subscriber growth in May for the first time in six months, an industry body said Wednesday.
KDDI's net growth in subscriptions -- new contracts minus cancellations -- came to 148,700, compared with a 133,800 net rise for NTT DoCoMo, the Telecommunications Carriers Association said.
KDDI's au service saw a net increase of 260,800 subscribers, but its Tu-Ka service registered a net decline of 112,100 subscribers, the association said.
Vodafone K.K. managed a slight net gain of 1,100, subscribers it said.
Vodafone was acquired by Softbank Corp. in April from Britain's Vodafone Group PLC. Softbank plans to rename the unit Softbank Mobile Corp. on Oct. 1.
Willcom Inc. posted a net increase of 49,300 for its personal handy-phone system service.