Japanese telecoms operators are likely to post strong half-year earnings, powered by the steady growth of 3G services and brisk demand for photo and video messaging and ring tone downloading. The new services have helped wireless carriers, including NTT DoCoMo Inc. and KDDI Corp. reel in fresh subscribers and maintain healthy per-user revenues, the industry’s main measure of profitability.

Of the four major telecoms operators — DoCoMo, KDDI, Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corp. and Japan Telecom Holdings Co Ltd. — KDDI is seen as the strongest performer in the first half, given the robust growth of its au wireless unit. “Take their handsets. They are cheaper than DoCoMo’s. Yet the functionality is quite comparable,” said Hironobu Sawake, an analyst at UFJ Tsubasa Securities. “Their ring-tone downloading and discount programme also proved quite popular.” AU won 1.21 million new users in April-September, beating DoCoMo in half-year net user growth for the first time. Continue >>

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Some sage advise when entering new turf; Stop, Look and Listen.. it’s also good to secure a local guide. Japan is the cradle of mobile civilization – we have been dedicated to this space since 2001 – trust our archives here offer some useful material.

Domestic activities continue to set the pace, and sharp players are looking at global markets. We have hard-earned industry expertise and trusted network of contacts with access to advanced intell. and potential deal flow. Need a lift.. Ok, buckle-up!