Japan's mobile market is dominated by three major operators NTT DoCoMo, KDDI and Softbank Mobile. However, the Japanese government was looking to open its mobile market up to new players for 5G services. This could result in the entry of new players, even those from outside the traditional telecoms space, and potential foreign players, including those looking to target the Internet of Things, virtual reality and automotive applications.
Mobile broadband subscriber growth is expected to be relatively low over the next five years to 2024 due to a highly mature mobile subscriber market, with the vast majority of subscribers already having wireless broadband access.
The three carriers plan on launching 5G services commercially in 2020, with DoCoMo targeting nationwide coverage by 2023. The anticipated surge in interest for IoT and related technologies such as driverless cars is expected to help fuel a boom in spending.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) is preparing to embark on R&D work in Japan to explore a new telecoms standard that will eventually succeed 5G technology.
NTT DoCoMo has launched a global Internet of Things solution designed to aid customers in the development, of IoT services and has claimed a world first in a 5G test using a 28GHz band antenna on a 5G connected car.
Key Developments:
- Government considers telecom tax to fund rural 5G networks.
- The three carriers plan on launching 5G services commercially in 2020.
- DoCoMo is targeting nationwide 5G coverage by 2023.
- NTT DoCoMo claimed a world first in a 5G test using a 28GHz band antenna on a 5G connected car.
Companies covered in this report include:
NTT DoCoMo; KDDI; Softbank; eAccess, eMobile; IIJ; JCI; Line Mobile
Table of Contents
1 Market overview and analysis
2 Mobile statistics and forecast
3 Mobile broadband statistics and forecast
4 Regulatory issues
4.1 Fees for mobile services
4.2 Licensing and Spectrum
5 Mobile infrastructure
5.1 5G
5.2 4G
5.3 3G
5.4 2G
6 Major mobile operators
6.1 Operators
6.2 Entry of new mobile providers
6.3 NTT DoCoMo
6.4 KDDI
6.5 Softbank Mobile
6.6 Ratuken Mobile
7 Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNO)
7.1 IIJ
7.2 JCI
7.3 Line Mobile
8 Related reports
List of Tables
Table 1 Mobile Subscribers and Penetration (with Forecast) 2007 2024
Table 2 Mobile Broadband Subscribers and Penetration (with Forecast) 2009 2024
Table 3 Mobile subscribers in Japan by operator and market share 2019
Table 4 Historic - Carrier share of mobile telephone and PHS market 2004 2011
Table 5 NTT DoCoMo major shareholders
Table 6 NTT DoCoMo revenue, net income, capex and EBITDA 2005 - 2019
Table 7 Historic - NTT DoCoMo ARPU (per month) and churn 2004 2019
Table 8 NTT DoCoMo ARPU (¥ per month) 2017 2019
Table 9 NTT DoCoMo subscribers (thousands) 2011 - 2019
Table 10 Historic - KDDI - ARPU and churn 2001 2017
Table 11 KDDI ARPU and Churn Rate (¥) 2018 2019
Table 12 KDDI mobile subscribers 2011 2019
Table 13 Softbank subscribers (millions) by segment 2007 2019
Table 14 Softbank financial data 2009 2019
Table 15 Historic - Softbank financial data 1995 2011
Table 16 Softbank mobile ARPU and churn 2004 2019
List of Charts
Chart 1 Mobile Subscribers and Penetration (with Forecast) 2009 2024
Chart 2 Mobile Broadband Subscribers and Penetration (with Forecast) 2010 2024
List of Exhibits
Exhibit 1 NTT DoCoMo investment in international operators
Companies Mentioned
- NTT DoCoMo
- KDDI
- Softbank
- eAccess
- eMobile
- IIJ
- JCI
- Line Mobile
