Japan to grant three new mobile licences

November 13, 2005 - source: BWCS

For the first time in twelve years the Japanese government has granted new licences allowing three new companies to compete in the country's mobile market. According to press reports in Japan, the three recipients, Softbank, eAccess and IP Mobile, will be granted licenses by the government to offer services from the beginning of next year.

The move will undoubtedly intensify competition in the already crowded Japanese mobile market. The decision is expected to be finalized following approval from a regulatory body which will be delivered to the communications minister.

In September of this year, investment bank Goldman Sachs announced plans to invest Yen 25 billion (US$220.9 million) in the mobile phone operator due to be launched by Japanese broadband company eAccess. According to reports in the Nihon Keizai Shimbun, the US company will back eMobile, the soon-to-be-launched mobile subsidiary of eAccess and will provide business support in securing the supply of content, as well as helping to fund the roll out of its network.