AT&T Mobility will work with Japanese operator NTT DoCoMo Inc. to build a 3G wireless network in Hawaii, the two companies announced.

    DoCoMo said it will provide up to $24 million to support the network build, which AT&T plans to launch on Oahu by the end of 2007 and expand to the rest of Hawaii by early 2008. The agreement also will allow 3G roaming services for DoCoMo customers who visit Hawaii. According to statistics from the Japan Tourism Marketing Co., more than 100,000 Japanese citizens typically visit Hawaii each month.

    DoCoMo also said that it would “seek to promote international roaming services” between the U.S. and Japanese markets.

    The announcement is notable as DoCoMo bought a 16% stake in what was AT&T Wireless Services Inc. in 2000 for a staggering $10 billion. The move was to ensure AT&T used UMTS network technology for its 3G upgrade, the same technology DoCoMo relies on.