Slashdot Mirror
3G Cel Service Starts in Japan
Graymalkn writes "According to this story on the BBC, DoCoMo has finally launched the world's first 3G cellular service in Japan. Phones start at $560 and can go as high as $800 for one which can double as a video camera." Eventually they'll be able to watch movies on the new phones, but for now service for the phones is limited to a 20 mile radius around the center of Tokyo. I haven't found an exact number of bandwidth, but I believe it's like 384k downlink. To your phone. Once again, my jealousy runs rampant.
Because (if you are in America) you are routinely sold technology that is practically obsolete in Japan and the rest of Asia and told that it is state of the art.
Just another manifestation of the BIG LIE of American technological superiority.
to understand why the japanese would like something of this nature one would have to live in japan, like myself.
the japanese do not drive to work; the japanese generally do not drive that many places on a daily basis for that matter. their standard transporation is the train, via a 30-60 minute ride each way, daily. so, during that time what else is there to do in the middle of a crowded train? this is where services like this come into play.
in japan, those with the most disposable income are the ones that drive the economy here: young, 20yo, females who make $2000/mo and still live at home, therefore having $2000/mo in disposable income. the economy and businesses tailor to their needs. cell phones are generally bought and used more by this crowd than any other here, therefore it only makes sense to come out with a service that would fit their needs.
right now the craze is imode and email via your cell phone. the next craze will be watching movies, downloading songs and watching videos on your cell phone...all being done by giggly twenty-something girls with nothing better to do than spend their $2000 of disposable income on NTT!