Japan - Major Operators - History to 2006

Synopsis

Despite the fact that NTT Corp is the world’s largest telecommunications operator, it faces a challenging future in the Japanese telecoms market. KDDI already had an equal market share of the 3G mobile field, while Softbank ruled the ADSL broadband and VoIP markets. Entering 2006, Softbank was the telecom player to watch. It purchased C&W IDC and the fixed-line unit of Japan Telecom in 2004 and became the largest shareholder in Fuji TV in March 2005. Softbank continued its progression into a major telco in 2006, when it purchased mobile operator Vodafone K.K. This move into the mobile market was set to ensure interesting times ahead. This report provides a review of the rise and fall of the various Japanese telecommunications operators over the past few decades.