these new service will be open to a limited number of subscribers and will use the infrastructure of host network operator NTT DOCOMO. KDDI in Japan lowered the smartphone fees by 20 % to fight budget oriented consumers availing plans that offer up to 5GB of data and unlimited voice calling.
Japan’ s mobile network operators( MNOs) such as NTT DOCOMO, SoftBank and KDDI are keen in investing into 5G technology that was nationwide target by 2023. The three MNO’ s are launching new generation services commercially in 2020, the anticipated surge in interest for IoT and self-drive cars is expected to help fuel the rise in consumer spending. Nokia is signing a distributor agreement with Chugoku Electric Power Company-owned Energia Communications( EneCom) to sell its G. fast fixed ultra-broadband access technology in Japan.
Simple innovations such as advanced wearables and fully autonomous vehicles may take a few years to emerge. A drastic growth in smartphone usage was observed and is a continuing opportunity for all telecom sub-sectors, including wireless and wireline / broadband carriers, network equipment / infrastructure companies, and device manufacturers for positive growth. There is a huge investment in emerging areas and all the telecommunication companies are focused on connectivity-first which allowed carriers to strengthen their brand and networks.
The two major factors Japan’ s telecommunication is focusing on are content and the internet of things( IoT). The delivering enhanced content to any type of screen is becoming a reality, enabled by advances in network technology, and higher speeds. The consumer oriented items comprising of the IoT includes wearables, connected cars, smart homes such as lighting, security, entertainment.
The government and enterprise connected items are smart businesses such as fleet management, and smart cities such as parking, city lighting, asset monitoring and tracking, and video security which are the areas of growth in the coming years. Japanese consumers demand for digital technologies that are easier to control their homes, cars and will help to drive incremental revenue in the ecosystem.
Telecommunication carriers in Japan focus on providing data and voice services that are high quality, reliable, and affordable. The carriers need to upgrade to their core connectivity infrastructure to fifth generation( 5G) mobile networks and more funds are require for areas such as IoT, autonomous vehicles, industry verticals, M & A, and international expansion.
The availability of new technologies and innovations in Japan may make 2017 the year of digital transformation for the telecommunications sector. With the decrease in the Japanese population, the telecommunications sector is growing in leaps and bounds.