iPhone & Japanese Operators
As a complement to the European carrier[1] thread what Japanese operator do you think will get the iPhone?
Au/KDDI is out as their network doesn't use UMTS (3G. Both NTT DoCoMo and SoftBank Mobile use the same 2100 MHz UMTS as Europe).
SoftBank Mobile is probably more willing to deal given their lower market share.
NTT has the better network and would get the iPhone out to more people being the biggest of the operators, but would demand e-cash (it's a big push by them) and perhaps mobile TV[2].
SoftBank Mobile, on the other hand, would only ask for e-cash and mobile TV.
NTT is the better choice, but it depends on Apple. If they're as difficult to deal with as the Europeans are saying they well be stuck with SoftBank.
Anyone else?
[1] They really hugely hate being called carriers, by the way, outside of North America.
[2] You need UMTS 3G for the Japanese market anyway, since they don't have GSM, and I think iPhone revision B will also have GPS.
Au/KDDI is out as their network doesn't use UMTS (3G. Both NTT DoCoMo and SoftBank Mobile use the same 2100 MHz UMTS as Europe).
SoftBank Mobile is probably more willing to deal given their lower market share.
NTT has the better network and would get the iPhone out to more people being the biggest of the operators, but would demand e-cash (it's a big push by them) and perhaps mobile TV[2].
SoftBank Mobile, on the other hand, would only ask for e-cash and mobile TV.
NTT is the better choice, but it depends on Apple. If they're as difficult to deal with as the Europeans are saying they well be stuck with SoftBank.
Anyone else?
[1] They really hugely hate being called carriers, by the way, outside of North America.
[2] You need UMTS 3G for the Japanese market anyway, since they don't have GSM, and I think iPhone revision B will also have GPS.
Comments
Bump. I at least expected Bergermeister to comment
Gimme some time, gimme some time... I do have a job...
My phone is from AU (company supplied
I still hope and think Apple will improve the iPhone to compete in the markets outside the US. I mean, really, the world should not be expected to lower itself to American standards in communication.
Softbank was rumored a while back... there might be something there. Pray Apple doesn't go with NTT (they are a monopoly and they suck royally).
Well of course the Japanese version requires 3G so they're stuck on that point (and good, because I shudder to think how long Apple would leave 3G out if they only worried about AT&T coverage), and I have some hope they'll bring it up to snuff on features if only in Japan as a testing ground they can trickle down into Europe/North America.
I found this article from Australian IT. Pull quotes:
NTT DoCoMo, Japan's largest mobile phone operator, will start offering unlimited wireless internet access for computers at a flat rate to prevent customers from defecting, according to chief executive Masao Nakamura.
"I'm very interested" in partnering with Apple to offer the iPhone in Japan, Mr Nakamura said.
Whether DoCoMo would be picked depended partly on Apple making the device work with the third-generation network.
Say say say it isn't so...
softbank: softbank and yahoo jpn is owned by masayoshi son. with apple being googled, i wonder if yahoo is going to make it as a partner in japan. last year softbank was the rumored partner.
anyone know googles' plans for japan?