The Japanese government has approved the issuance of a regional license for mobile WiMAX services to RCN (Reinan Cable Network), a local cable TV company based in Tsurugu, Fukui Prefecture, Jiji Press reported on September 3.

The license is expected to be issued by Japan's Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications on September 8, 2008, and RCN plans to kick off commercial WiMAX services by year-end 2008, ahead of the schedules set by the other two Japanese WiMAX licensees, Willcom and UQ Communications, a consortium consisting of Intel, KDDI, Kyocera, Daiwa Securities, East Japan Railway, and the Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ. It is projected that these two companies will commence services in summer 2009 at the earliest, according to the same report.