Japan - Telecommunications Infrastructure

Synopsis

Although NTT still dominates Japanese telecoms infrastructure, KDDI and Softbank are steadily taking steps to compete more efficiently and effectively with NTT, and in the past year have seen a substantial advantage over the incumbent in net additions to their networks. All operators have moved to IP-based Next Generation Networks after substantial investments. This report examines Japanese national and international infrastructure including submarine cables; CATV; satellite TV and digital terrestrial TV markets; and cloud computing.

Key Developments:

• substantial increase in international bandwidth as domestic and international consortiums invest in infrastructure;
• increased investment in data centres and cloud computing; assessment of infrastructure changes needed for earthquake resistant networks;
• switchover to digital television;
• over 50% Cable TV household penetration;
• green investments in renewable energy facilities
• ASE submarine cable system brought into service in 2013;
• SJC submarine cable system became operational in 2013;
• APG submarine cable system set for launch in late 2014.

Companies covered in this report include:

NTT; KDDI; Softbank; Google; Fujitsu