NTT DoCoMo set to buy 25 pct stake in Tata Tele-report

TOKYO, Nov 12 (Reuters) - Japanese mobile phone giant NTT DoCoMo Inc (9437.T: Quote, Profile, Research) has reached an agreement with Tata Teleservices (TTML.BO: Quote, Profile, Research) to buy an estimated 25 percent stake in the Indian carrier for $1.5 billion, Japan's Sankei newspaper reported on Wednesday.

The Sankei said the companies may announce the deal on Wednesday, but NTT DoCoMo said in a statement that it had not made any such decision.

Reuters sources said in September that NTT DoCoMo was in talks with Tata on investing more than 100 billion yen ($1 billion), aiming to build a foothold in the world's fastest-growing wireless market.

NTT DoCoMo is seeking to expand its overseas operations to offset slowing growth in Japan. (Reporting by Yumiko Nishitani)