TOKYO—Fujitsu, a leading telecom vendor in Japan, is planning to launch a mobile carrier business renting PHS networks owned by DDI Pocket. The vender is planning to launch the service targeting corporate users in July at the earliest. The firm is also considering launching the same service targeting end users later on.
In Japan, mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) businesses were allowed last year in the wake of modifications to the country’s telecom law. Some venture businesses have been providing MVNO service since then.
However, it is the first time a big company like Fujitsu has launched MVNO services in Japan. Fujitsu is planning to launch the mobile service renting PHS networks from DDI Pocket, the largest PHS operator in Japan, and will provide wireless data access service for mainly PC and personal digital assistant (PDA) users. Fujitsu aims to expand its solution business, one of Fujitsu’s main businesses, by fully using the new wireless services.
DDI Pocket has been renting some of its excess PHS networks for MVNO operators. Since the number of PHS users has been decreasing partly due to a big cellular phone boom, DDI Pocket maintains excess PHS network capacity.
