COSTA MESA, Calif., Oct. 7, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- The CDMA Development Group (CDG) (www.cdg.org) congratulates KDDI on reaching 10 million CDMA2000(r) subscribers just 18 months after commercial deployment of 3G. KDDI holds 93 percent of the 3G market in Japan today.
"KDDI's milestone is a tremendous achievement for the CDMA industry and clearly demonstrates the advantages CDMA2000 offers to consumers and operators," said Perry LaForge, executive director of the CDG. "The ease of migration and high-speed data capabilities of CDMA2000, as well as availability of a broad range of devices with enhanced functionality, allow operators to rapidly capitalize on the growing demand for advanced multimedia services. KDDI is well-positioned to continue expanding its market leadership in 3G services in Japan."
KDDI launched CDMA2000 1X services in April 2002, the second operator to offer 3G in Japan. Adding 625,000 new 3G subscribers per month, KDDI quickly captured the lead in the market. Driven by a strong demand for its "au" 3G services, KDDI led in new adds in Japan for the three consecutive months April through June 2003.
Today, more than 64 percent of the KDDI subscriber base use CDMA2000 1X, and 90 percent subscribe to EZWeb Internet services, which include location-based services, video distribution, multimedia messaging and high-speed web access. CDMA2000 subscribers generate 18 percent more in revenue than 2G users for KDDI, with data services comprising 23 percent of their total average monthly bill.
KDDI's CDMA2000 1X network covers more than 90 percent of the Japan population. The operator will launch CDMA2000 1xEV-DO, capable of delivering data at speeds of up to 2.4 Mbps, in the fall of this year.
CDMA2000 dominates 3G today, with 54 million global subscribers, or 99 percent of the 3G market. There are 70 commercial CDMA2000 networks currently deployed, and 12 additional networks scheduled for deployment in the fourth quarter of 2003.
Additional information on CDMA2000 is available on the CDG Web site at www.cdg.org.
About the CDG
The CDMA Development Group is a trade association formed to foster the worldwide development, implementation and use of CDMA technologies. The 110 member companies of the CDG include many of the world's largest wireless carriers and equipment manufacturers. The primary activities of the CDG include development of CDMA features and services, public relations, education and seminars, regulatory affairs and international support. Currently, there are more than 500 individuals working within various CDG subcommittees on CDMA-related matters. For more information about the CDG, contact Valerie Christopherson of the CDG News Bureau at +1-714-540-1030, ext. 14, e-mail vchristopherson@bockpr.com, or visit the CDG Web site at www.cdg.org.
Note to editors: cdmaOne is a trademark of the CDG. CDMA2000 is a registered trademark of the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA-USA).