Japan - Key Statistics, Telecom Market, Regulatory Overview and Forecasts

Synopsis

Japan’s telecommunications sector is one of the most active markets in the world. Entering 2011 the country was witnessing the continued growth of VoIP and strong competition among the mobile operators in the 3G segment of the market. Japan had also become the fourth country to introduce LTE services with NTT DoCoMo leading the charge. Especially noteworthy has been the continued strong uptake of FttH services (with a corresponding move away from DSL) and the big strides taken in developing digital and mobile broadcasting. The telecommunications regulatory authorities in Japan have been very active in shaping the industry in this country. The control that the incumbent operator, NTT Corp, has continued to exert over virtually all local customers remains a particular challenge for the regulator. This report presents a range of key statistical indicators and fixed-line forecasts to 2016 as well as an overview of the Japanese telecommunications regulatory environment.

Key Developments:

Continued decline in traditional fixed-line services; high FttX deployment and accompanying VoIP uptake; 3G uptake almost 100% as LTE deployment begins; government policies drive broadband household penetration above 65%

Companies covered in this report include:

NTT; KDDI; Softbank; eAccess

Table of Contents

• 1. Synopsis
• 2. Key statistics
• 3. COUNTRY OVERVIEW
  • 3.1 Background
  • 3.2 Japan’s Economy
  • 3.3 Japan’s government
• 4. Telecommunications market
  • 4.1 Overview of Japan’s telecom market
  • 4.2 Competition in the market
• 5. Telecommunications market sectors
  • 5.1 Fixed-line and mobile phones
    • 5.1.1 Fixed-line and mobile comparisons: 2003; 2008
    • 5.1.2 Fixed-line and IP telephony statistics
  • 5.2 Internet and broadband
  • 5.3 Internet statistics
    • 5.3.1 Japan in global terms
    • 5.3.2 Japan Internet users
• 6. FORECASTS
  • 6.1 Forecast fixed line subscribers – 2011 - 2012; 2016
  • 6.2 Forecasting methodology
• 7. Regulatory environment
  • 7.1 Major stages of reform – industry
  • 7.2 Major stages of reform – Broadband
  • 7.3 Major stages of reform – ‘New ICT strategy’
  • 7.4 The MPHPT/MIC
  • 7.5 Radio Regulatory Council
  • 7.6 Telecommunications Council
  • 7.7 Telecommunications Carriers Association
  • 7.8 Japan Internet Providers’ Association (JAIPA)
  • 7.9 Universal Service Fund Obligation
• 8. Policy interventions and outcomes
  • 8.1 Government investment in infrastructure
  • 8.2 Skill building, education and demand programs
  • 8.3 Competition policy
  • 8.4 Network non-discrimination
  • 8.5 Spectrum policy
• 9. regulatory developments
  • 9.1 Year 2010
    • 9.1.1 Operators to reveal access fee costs
  • 9.2 Year 2009
    • 9.2.1 Music piracy clampdown
    • 9.2.2 Internet laws for minors
• 10. History of regulatory developments
• 11. E-government
  • 11.1 Overview
  • 11.2 Comprehensive government decisions on e-government
  • 11.3 Promotion of online use of administrative procedures
  • 11.4 Promotion of electronic provision of government information
  • 11.5 Promotion of activities to publicise and disseminate e-government
  • 11.6 Promotion of optimisation of work and systems
  • 11.7 Improvement of government procurement related to information systems
  • 11.8 Promotion of information security measures
  • 11.9 Promotion of local e-governments
  • 11.10 Status 2010
• 12. Related reports

• Table 1 – Country statistics Japan – 2010
• Table 2 – Telecom revenue and investment statistics – 2011
• Table 3 – Telephone network statistics – March 2011
• Table 4 – Internet user statistics – March 2011
• Table 5 – Broadband statistics – March 2011
• Table 6 – Mobile statistics – August 2011
• Table 7 – National telecommunications authorities
• Table 8 – Percentage share of global GDP – 1991; 2014
• Table 9 – Telecoms service revenue – 1985; 1989; 1993; 1997; 2001; 2005 - 2009
• Table 10 – Number of competitive telecommunications carriers: 1985; 1989; 1993; 1997; 2001; 2005 - 2011
• Table 11 – Number of telecommunications carriers in Japan – July 2011
• Table 12 – Subscribers and penetration: fixed-line versus mobile – 1993 - 2012
• Table 13 – Monthly fixed and mobile call volumes by minutes – 2003; 2008
• Table 14 – Monthly fixed and mobile call volumes per head (minutes) – 2003; 2008
• Table 15 – Mobile as a proportion of total telecommunications connections – 2003; 2008
• Table 16 – Fixed-line subscribers by technology – 1997 - 2010
• Table 17 – Broadband subscribers and population penetration - 2005 - 2011
• Table 18 – Carrier share of broadband subscribers – 2005 - 2010
• Table 19 – Internet users, growth and penetration rate – 1998 - 2011
• Table 20 – Forecast fixed line subscribers and penetration - lower band: 2010-2012; 2016
• Table 21 – Forecast fixed line subscribers and penetration - higher band: 2010-2012; 2016
• Table 22 – Broadband household connectivity and service availability – 2006 - 2008; 2011

• Chart 1 – Japan fixed-line and mobile subscribers – 1993 - 2012
• Chart 2 – Internet penetration rate of key countries – December 2009

• Exhibit 1 – Map of Japan