(keitai-l) Re: Communications options in Japan, especially mobile

From: Pat Griffin <pat_at_backwardsfish.com>
Date: 04/19/06
Message-Id: <117dd20d16a70715654975203e93fcba@backwardsfish.com>
Willcom was the only carrier that had an all-in-one USB data solution 
for my MAC laptop. Only ¥3,000 for the USB deal which looks like a USB 
memory stick.

Docomo and AU wanted me to use a USB to PC-Card adapter that was bulky 
(and expensive.)

Just my two cents.


On Apr 18, 2006, at 1:20 PM, Gerhard Fasol wrote:

> Paul, here are some comments:
>
>>     You can still get new Tuka's (at least last time I checked 3
>> months ago)
>> from any TuKa shop!  Although I've always been afraid they will close
>> for good.... Its been worrying me for 5 or more years..waiting for
>> that
>> dreaded day.  They are very cheap.  but you could be right, they
>> may not be giving out new contracts anymore
>
> TuKa uses a PDC network. PDC is controlled by NTT which is
> the No.1  competitor of KDDI/AU. KDDI used to own a second
> PDC network, and they switched it off years ago. When you look
> at the subscriber #s you will see that KDDI is at present
> aggressively moving  TuKa users over to AU. I guarantee you
> that KDDI will switch of the TuKa network in the very near future.
>
> TuKa is not a separate company anymore.
> TuKa were three separate companies until last summer.
> Summer 2005, KDDI totally absorbed TuKa, there is no TuKa
> company any more, its just part of KDDI since last summer.
>
>>     There are other PHSes besides Willcom and Yahoo.
>
> Yes and no.
> No: Yahoo operators no PHS and I think never will.
> There are a number of separate companies which is what is
> left of ASTEL, but you can forget them. They have about 50,000
> users nationwide, I think they will soon stop.
>
>> I know but
>> I've never checked out the brands, as it does not interest me.
>> Willcom
>> and Yahoo are the newcomers....
>
> NO!!!
> Yahoo has nothing in PHS.
>
> Willcom is not a newcomer. Willcom used to be part of KDDI, called
> DDI-Pocket, underwent a management buyout, and is presently
> being turned round, because it looses money. Looks like they will
> win the turn-round.
>
>> I don't think those two are PHS, but they
>> might be.  I think DoCoMo has PHS service, and something like
>> PowerAstel
>> used to be one of the PHS providers.  Its all quite complex.
>
> Not complex at all. ASTEL you can forget, They are almost gone.
> DoCoMo has PHS, but they will terminate the PHS service very soon.
> They don't accept any new users for PHS and make no more investment.
> I forgot when they end PHS service but its quite soon.
>
> We have a detailed overview of Japan's telecom industry in our JCOM
> report:
> http://www.eurotechnology.com/store/jcomm/
>
> Gerhard
> http://www.eurotechnology.com/
>
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>
Received on Wed Apr 19 08:31:20 2006