NTT DoCoMo announced today development of the "N900iL," a dual network 3G FOMA handset that runs on both FOMA and wireless LAN networks. The handset, which is scheduled to be marketed in Fall 2004, has been specifically designed to support the new PASSAGE DUPLE system that was developed by DoCoMo to integrate the two-network operation.

From the press release

Under the PASSAGE DUPLE system, the N900iL may be used as a standard FOMA handset, as well as an in-house VoIP phone utilizing a company's internal wireless LAN network. Business users can prioritize standby for incoming calls from either FOMA or the wireless LAN network, or set the handset on dual mode to receive calls from both networks. The handset also comes with a browser function that may be used either inside or outside the office, which allows users to browse items such as schedules, web mail, and documents saved on intranet servers.

Standard telephone functions including call hold and call transfer may also be performed via the wireless LAN network mode. The new handset comes with a "presence function," which indicates the status of the called party when a call is made between two N900iL handsets registered in the same wireless LAN network. The caller can use the onscreen "presence function" in order to immediately confirm whether the called party is on line, off line, in a meeting, out of the office, on a business trip, etc.

In addition, users may engage in instant messaging between N900iL handsets over the wireless LAN network.