TD-CDMA: New 3G Standard Trials

Softbank Corp is rushing to break into Japan’s 8-Trillion Yen cellular phone market by every possible means, even though there are already four dominant cellular operators. “We will start the business one way or another,” said Masayoshi Son, president of Softbank. Some experts predict that Softbank will offer a cheaper price for the TD-CDMA based data communication service than existing competitors.

Softbank has grown up fast as one of the largest broadband operators in Japan, by pursuing an aggressive business strategy centering on lower prices. Among other wireless operators seeking to enter the market are eAccess Ltd and NTT Communications Corp, and IP Mobile Inc. Softbank’s focus will be on the latest Time Division Code Division Multiple Access (TD-CDMA) standard that enables a high-speed data communications on existing CDMA2000 3G standards.

Softbank’s subsidiary Softbank BB Corp has been engaged in a verification trial of the TD-CDMA system since January after building a base station in Tokyo. Furthermore, it is likely the company will offer a new package of service that combines both cellular and broadband IP communications services. “We are seeking the possibility of starting operations using the CDMA2000 or TD-CDMA standard. Although we have not yet decided anything, we will start the business one way or another,” said Son. Continue >>