IPMobile Tests 42MB Wireless

New market entrant IPMobile, which was granted a carrier license by Japan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications in November 2005, will conduct advanced TD-SCDMA field trials in Tokyo later this month. While the company’s commercial launch - expected in early 2007 - will offer a maximum theoretical download speed of 11Mbps, the so-called E-R7 (evolved release 7) promises data-centric downloads as fast as 42.2Mbps.

According to local media reports, the trial will test how well the signals travel, real-life download speed, and various Internet applications. Also included will be streaming of high-definition television.

IPMobile is a privately financed company; its shareholders include Internet Initiative Japan (IIJ), CSK Group, Shoeisha Co., and the Rakuten Group. Continue >>

Also note WWJ’s Viewpoint article: Japan Approves Three New Groups for 3G, posted 16 November 2005. IPMobile said it plans to offer flat-rate all-IP data services via PC, SD and Compact Flash card formats for laptop- and PDA-totting mobilers, as well as a full range of m2m (machine-to-machine) services via embedded modems enabling jidohambaiki (vending machines) to call in and report canned coffee stock levels. IPMobile’s President Itsuo Sugimura predicts a “renaissance of the Internet” and the company’s press release stated: “IPMobile is eager to incorporate new technologies and contribute to advancing the mobile internet environment.”