Wireless Watch Japan - Top Stories for 2005

We published 596 articles on Wireless Watch Japan in 2005 and thought you might enjoy looking back at the most popular Japan mobile industry highlights from the year. The links below, three from each month, represent the two top stories (by volume of visitor requests) and a third which we consider a significant development in that 30-day period.

It’s been a year of explosive year in the mobile world and 2006 is set to be even much more interesting with faster mobile networks, more powerful handsets and compelling contents settling into the mainstream mindset. Here in Japan, we are expecting a dramatic increase in m-commerce adoption, driven in part by Mobile Suica’s launch, set for later in January and the start of ‘One-Seg’ digital TV broadcasting starting — on all three carriers — on 1 April (no joke). We also see a potential increase in churn as a result of the (belated) introduction of number portability (and, therefore, an increase in handset sales) — and with three new carriers entering the market, even DoCoMo is concerned.

One of the more obvious action areas in 2006 will be the increase of M&A activity at all levels; in particular, look for consolidation in the Japanese handset market. Meanwhile, lets boldly predict that we’ll have at least a few 3.5G (HSDPA) phones on the streets of Tokyo by this time next year. Interesting times ahead, indeed.

This year was also a milestone for us here at WWJ as we took on a new partner and set up Mobikyo K.K. in April; we also expanded our Mobile Monday events and ran several Mobile Intelligence Japan missions to Tokyo, complimenting our market entry services.

We expect, like the industry in general, to be even busier in 2006 and are looking forward to another phase of growth. We’d like to thank all of our clients, members, partners and subscribers for your kind and generous support. Our Best Wishes to you all for a very happy, healthy and prosperous New Year!

January
Two New V603s: Killer Swivel Clamshells, MobaHo!: Satellite Broadcast to Mobile, eAccess Announces 3G Trials

February
3G FOMA 901i Launch, EZ Game Street: Watch Out, DoCoMo, Vodafone K.K. Joins Mobile FeliCa

March
KDDI Designing Studio: Video Tour, Japan Rail, DoCoMo State Mobile Suica Plans, Mobile Flat-Rate Voice Planned

April
Sony PSP Can Even Play with Aibo, KDDI Launches Mobile EZ-Book Portal, Japan 3G Cell Phone Shipments Surge

May
Digital TV Cell Phone Test Drive, DoCoMo Announces Five New 3G Wallet Phones, KDDI Ready to Roll-Out Free Mobile Blog Service

June
Motorola Debuts 3G Smartphone in Japan, ColorZip Partners with TV Broadcasters, IC Cards Make a Splash with Electronic Posters

July
May the 3G Force Be With You, Wireless Japan Expo: Video Report, Japan to Launch Cell phone P2P Digital Cash

August
Mobile Music Best Practices from Japan and Korea, Mobile Phones Scan ColorCode on TV, Japan Mobile Market Myths from Past and Present

September
Japan’s First Digital Broadcast Cell phone, Tokyo Game Show 2005, i-mode Launches in Russia

October
Can Visto, Vodafone, Nokia Push Corporate Email?, KDDI’s EZ Channel at CEATEC, Microsoft Scores First Windows Mobile Japan Deal

November
Accton Launching Skype Cell phone, 2006: Japan’s Year of the FeliCa eWallet Phone, KDDI Designing Studio Unveils Prototype Handsets

December
Vodafone Selects A-GPS Solution, Korean 3G Phone Finally Hits Japan Market, 3G Network Limitations Define Mobile TV