NTT to launch 802.11a/b in Tokyo in May
NTT Communications on May 15 will launch 802.11a and b services with some 200 hot spots in Tokyo, according to Dow Jones today. The news report says service will be provided in "cafes, hotels and public areas," but it doesn't mention anything about Narita airport or other airports. NTT will install some 1,000 access points this year, though the report doesn't indicate whether that will be just in Tokyo or in other cities in Japan.
The "application fee," which I assume is a one-time charge, is 1,500 yen ($11.40) and the monthly fee is 1,600 yen ($12.20), which includes Internet access. Dow Jones doesn't provide any specifics, however, about the fee. Is it for unlimited use everywhere, per location, etc.?
There have been a number of reports about NTT testing 802.11. NTT knows there are a variety of companies interested in offering wireless LAN services in Japan and it doesn't want to play catch up. Anyone who says 3G service makes 802.11 unnecessary for cellular operators should look at Japan and Korea as well as Sweden, Finland, the U.K. and the many other countries where cellular carriers will offer WiFi.
3:59:20 PM 
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