3G (wCDMA, CDMA-2000, UMTS, FOMA) in Japan FAQ

1. What are third generation (3G) wireless communications?

Second generation (2G) cellular data networks in Japan deliver data rates up to 9.6 kbps for upload and up to 29.8 kbps for download.
PHS networks in Japan deliver data rates up to 128 kbps for terminals which are not moving at high speeds (e.g. PHS does not connect well in high-speed trains).
Third generation (3G) wireless networks in Japan deliver datarates from 64 kbps for upload and on the order of 200 kbos for downlad. Increasingly 3G networks in Japan are upgraded to deliver data connection rates on the order of 2 to 10 Mbps. These higher speeds allow the transmission of video and two-way video telephony, rapid download of movie sketches, music and JAVA applications. Other data connections, e.g. download of information or JAVA applets, are also several times faster on 3G networks then on older 2G networks.
In Japan there are three parallel, independent and competing 3G networks. Costs to the carrier are lower, so that competition drives prices down.

2. Which networks are there in Japan and how many 3G users are there?

KDDI/AU, NTT-DoCoMo and Vodafone operate 3G mobile networks in Japan. The following figure shows the user numbers as of January 2005:
 

 

2. What is the "killer application" for 3G? Is there one at all?

If there is a "killer application" for 3G, its mobile music! Chaku-Uta downloads on KDDI-AU mobile phones have similar download numbers as iTunes in the US with a very much smaller potential user pool. One can therefore safely say, that mobile music downloads seem to be substantially more attractive for paying users than conventional fixed line internet music downloads.
 

 

3. Which 3G communication networks are in operation in Japan?

Three carriers operate 3G communication networks in Japan: NTT DoCoMo, KDDI/AU and Vodafone (previously J-Phone). NTT DoCoMo's 3G network's brand name is FOMA and it uses the wCDMA technology standard. J-Phone also uses the wCDMA standard, while KDDI/AU uses different versions of the CDMA 2000-1x standard (CDMA2000-1x and CDMA2000 1xEV-DO) under the brand names: CDMA1x and CDMA1x-WIN for data download rates up to 2.4 Mbps.

4. How many 3G subscribers are there in Japan?

About 27 million as of January 2005 as shown in the following figure and table. KDDI/AU has moved almost all subscribers from 2G to 3G networks, we expect DoCoMos conversion to 3G/FOMA to be essentially complete during 2005/2006, while Vodafone still has a very small number of 3G subscribers (less than 2% of Japans 3G market) at this stage.

5. Which services are available on 3G networks in Japan?

3G networks provide typical download rates around 200 kbps (in the process of upgrade to the 2 to 10 Mbps range) and data upload rates of 64 kbps and higher. Under typical real-live operating conditions, actual data rates are lower.
Services offered are voice, data services, i-mode, J-Sky, EZweb data and information services and transactions, movie downloads, email services with picture and video sketch attachments, video telephony, remote control and remote video observation services, and location based services. Other new services are under exploration, and new types of services are constantly under experimentation or in introduction. Not all carriers offer all these services to all customers.
 

6. What will data rates for 3G communications be in the future in Japan?

At present 2G data download rates are up to 27.8 kbit/sec for DoCoMo/i-Mode, but usually slower. PHS allows data rates of 128 kbps in Japan.
Today KDDI/AU offers data download rates of 2.4 Mbps on CDMA-1x-WIN service, while DoCoMo and Vodafone offer 3G download rates of 256 kbps. Upgrades into the 12 Mbps are in preparation. Actual data rates in real-life service are lower than the theoretical maximum.
 

7. Where in Japan is 3G service available?

3G network services cover most of the inhabited areas of Japan. You can obtain detailed maps from the carriers directly. At this point all carriers cover around 95% or more of the population. 3G services gradually reach the same degree of coverage as 2G services. Recently, in June 2004 all Tokyo subway stations were connected to FOMA 3G services, and coverage of office buildings, an underground public areas is steadily improving.
 

8. What do 3G services cost?

Both 3G voice and 3G data rates are considerably lower than 2G data rates, however the actual rates subscribers pay depend much on the plan selected, on the quantity of data consumed, length of contract, and various discounts.
Recently both KDDI/AU and DoCoMo introduced flat data fee plans for specific data services. We expect that competition will further bring down fees and charges continuously
 

9. Which handsets are used for 3G services?

3G handsets used in Japan generally have one or two built-in digital cameras for still photographs and movies, and one or two color screens. The main display typically is full-color with 240 x 320 pixel size. Weight is typically a little over 100 grams, and the standby battery life is typically several weeks. Initially, 3G handsets were much inferior to 2G handsets. This has changed with DoCoMos 900i series, which was introduced in spring 2004, and led to a rapid increase of FOMA subscriptions.
You can find images of typical 3G handsets here:
Wireless Japan 2003 exhibition report
 

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