Japan is in the forefront of efforts to realize a truly
Ubiquitous Network Society. This paradigm defines the state where
connectivity is readily available "anytime, anywhere, by anything
and anyone," thus enabling users to enjoy whatever services or
applications they need whenever and wherever they choose.
In the drive towards such a Ubiquitous Network Society, KDDI, as
a fully-fledged telecommunications carrier in Japan, is aggressively
evolving an advanced infrastructure for mobile and broadband
communications. As a leader in the 3G mobile market, KDDI now has
more than 20 million signed-up 3G subscribers, double that at the
time of the WSIS Geneva summit in December 2003.
In terms of our fixed network, we have already announced that by
March 2008, we will become the first carrier in the world to
complete an all-IP fixed network.
Furthermore KDDI is promoting the concept of "Ultra 3G". Under
this concept, an all-IP fixed/mobile converged network system (FMC
system) will support users with seamless connectivity to ubiquitous
services across any environment. This Ultra 3G network really is the
key to achieving a Ubiquitous Network Society.
Simultaneously, the creation of a "Digital Opportunity" for
developing countries is one of our most important missions if we are
to fulfill the "Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)".
For example, we have developed a long-distance wireless IP
communication system for rural areas, and conducted field trials in
such forms as e-learning in Indonesia and transmission of medical
data including images in Peru and Vietnam.
In another aspect, human capacity is of great importance. For
last several decades, we have been providing technical assistance to
developing countries by dispatching technical experts and providing
human resource development programs in cooperation with
international organizations, such as the ITU and APT.
I would like to continue sharing the principles of WSIS to bridge
the digital divide and pledge to do my utmost to fulfill the
Millennium Development Goals in ICT.
Both in developed and developing countries, we believe that the
evolution of ICT should be based upon the following principles;
- fully meeting social needs,
- adoption of a customer- and market-oriented approach,
- ensuring all stakeholders recognize their roles.
These principles are also addressed in a context of a proposal
for WSIS by Nippon Keidanren, the Japan Business Federation.
Our mission is to provide such a ubiquitous communication
environment in which people can benefit from a rich ICT life from
the user’s perspective. Part of the remit for that mission is to
maintain the security, integrity and reliability of such systems,
fundamental as they are to the social ICT infrastructure.
Finally, may I express my sincere respect for all stakeholders,
the High-Level Summit Organizing Committee (HLSOC) under the
patronage of UN Secretary-General Mr. Kofi Annan, the Executive
Secretariat under the strong leadership of Mr. Yoshio Utsumi,
Secretary-General of both ITU and WSIS, and the host country,
Tunisia, for focusing our hearts and minds on the fruitful outcome
of WSIS. Thank you all for your kind attention.