The Japanese Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications announced on Friday June 3, 2005, that up to three new companies would be allowed into the mobile phone market. This is the first time new companies have been allowed entry in 12 years.

 

Two of those companies will be allocated frequencies for the 1.7GHz band, which will be used for 3G mobile phone services. Leading contenders to acquire these frequencies are Softbank Corp. and eAccess Ltd.

 

One company will be awarded a part of the 2GHz band, which can be used for high-speed data communications. IPMobile Inc. is vying for this allocation.

 

The companies that will be selected are required to start their services within two years.