Dec. 25 (Bloomberg) -- NTT DoCoMo Inc., the provider of mobile-phone services in Japan, will integrate Internet search and e-mail functions from Google Inc. into its ``I-mode'' Web service, Nikkei English News reported, without citing anyone.

DoCoMo is attempting to address the needs of users who access the Web through their cell phones, Nikkei said. Google, the world's largest search engine, trails Yahoo! Japan Corp. in the Japanese market, Nikkei said, and is trying to strengthen services and advertising operations there.

The companies are working to improve layout in addition to integrating search features with phone software, Nikkei said. I-mode customers will be able to use Google tools, including scheduling and photo-saving features, beginning early next year, the news service said.

Younger customers, the core users of mobile Internet services, have defected to KDDI Corp. and Softbank Mobile Corp, causing Tokyo-based DoCoMo to lose subscribers, Nikkei said. DoMoCo has been the only carrier to lose subscribers since the introduction of number portability in late 2006, Nikkei said.

To contact the reporter on this story: Joi Preciphs in Washington at jpreciphs1@bloomberg.net.

Last Updated: December 24, 2007 14:30 EST