Japan's Softbank Corp (9984.T) will adopt technology promoted by China Mobile Communications Corp [CHNMC.UL] for its PHS mobile service, the Nikkei business daily reported on Tuesday.

Softbank, Japan's No.3 mobile phone operator which has assisted bankrupt personal handyphone system service provider Willcom Inc, is to start its next-generation PHS service as early as the summer, the Nikkei said.

Softbank aims to lower costs for equipment and base stations by adopting the communications standard which China's top cell phone operator plans to introduce in 2011, the paper said.

Only a limited number of makers, including Kyocera Corp (6971.T), have developed handsets compatible with PHS, which has led to high costs for PHS base stations and handsets, the Nikkei said.