telecommunications — english language news service

19.05.2008« [telecommunications — телекоммуникация — telekommunikation]

japan — mic to request carriers to publish mvno leasing fees

Japan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) is expected to ask the country’s mobile operators – NTT DoCoMo, KDDI, Softbank Mobile, eMobile and Willcom – to publish their leasing fees for mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs), in an effort to stimulate the number of new entrants entering the market. Reuters writes that high build costs for base stations has deterred several would-be entrants from entering the fray, but that the MIC hopes that a move to bring prices and other details out into the open would make it simpler for MVNOs to negotiate leasing terms.

Source: TeleGeography's CommsUpdate

kddi corporation

KDDI Corporation is a Japan-based telecommunication company. The Company's business is carried out in three segments. The Fixed Telecommunication segment is engaged in the provision of domestic and overseas telecommunication services, Internet services and solution services. The Mobile Telecommunication segment is involved in the sale of mobile handsets and the provision of its services under the brand names au and TU-KA. Others segment is involved in the operation of call centers, and the provision of contents, cable television, fixed telecommunications, data centers, mobile phones and other services. The Company offers its services through a network covering Asia, Oceania, Europe, the United States and South America. Headquartered in Tokyo, the Company has 42 subsidiaries and 29 associated companies.

ntt docomo

NTT DoCoMo, Inc. is a wireless telecommunications services provider and a cellular phone service operator in Japan. The Company offers a range of telecommunications services, such as third generation (3G) and second generation (2G) cellular services, personal handyphone system (PHS) services, and other specialized wireless telecommunications services, including satellite telephone services. DoCoMo is focused on the development of wireless data transmission and mobile multimedia services, such as the Company�s i-mode Internet service and its 3G services. As of March 31, 2007, 47.57 million cellular subscriptions had signed up for i-mode services. i-mode is an optional service available to cellular voice subscribers offered on its nationwide 2G and 3G networks, which allows users to send and receive e-mail, access online services, access an array of information from i-mode servers and execute and settle retail transactions directly through their handsets.

softbank mobile

Softbank Mobile offers mobile voice, data, and wireless Internet services throughout Japan. Formerly known as Vodafone K.K. and operated as Vodafone Japan, the island country's #3 wireless carrier (behind giants NTT DoCoMo and KDDI) has more than 15 million subscribers with more than 85% also subscribing to Vodafone live!, the company's interactive mobile service. The company also offers innovative "movie sha-mail," its popular photo-messaging service using mobile handsets. UK-based Vodafone Group sold its 98% stake in Vodafone K.K. to SOFTBANK in a deal valued at nearly $16 billion.

willcom

WILLCOM is a provider of wireless data and voice services to corporate and individual customers throughout Japan, and the largest operator employing Personal Handyphone System (PHS) technology. PHS is a kind of stripped-down cellular service with relatively low charges; the technology was developed in Japan and most of its users live in Japan and China. WILLCOM provides mobile service nationwide in Japan, serving more than 4 million PHS subscribers. The company launched an international phone service, encompassing 240 countries and territories, in 2006. The Carlyle Group owns 60% of WILLCOM. Kyocera Corporation owns 30%.