KDDI is all set to launch "EV-DO Rev.A" in December of this year, an extension to their existing CDMA 1X WIN (EV-DO Rev.0) network. Rev.A is the basis of KDDI's upcoming all-IP-based next generation network. The primary advantage of Rev.A is enhanced upload speeds -- as fast as 1.8Mbps -- which are around 12 times as fast as those of the existing Rev.0 network (144kbps). Compared with HSDPA being pushed by NTT DoCoMo, Rev.A offers a more efficient use of frequencies and faster upload speeds.

A number of services are planned to take advantage of the new communication system: KDDI will expand existing realtime communication services, and introduce TV phone services using packet transmission (VoIP). After that, they will expand communication services such as email and blogs, and introduce voice calls using VoIP. This will all be made possible with the introduction of Quality of Service (QoS) controls.

All major cities in Japan are scheduled for coverage by the end of this year, with the entire country covered within the next three years. KDDI is investing 200 billion yen (~$1.72B USD) in their plans.

Furthermore, in September of this year, KDDI will be introducing BCMCS, or "Broadcast/Multicast Services." These services allow content such as video to be simultaneously distributed to a large number of users. Since introducing BCMCS requires o­nly a software upgrade to existing EV-DO Rev.0 facilities, coverage will be nationwide when the service launches in September.

Inspired by:
http://k-tai.impress.co.jp/cda/article/news_toppage/30660.html

Press Release:
http://www.kddi.com/corporate/news_release/2006/0822/