KDDI launching U.S. MVNO

KDDI Corp. announced it will launch an MVNO via the Sprint Nextel network, becoming the first Japanese operator to deliver services under its own brand in the U.S. market. KDDI, Japan's second-largest mobile operator, will launch the service later this month; its KDDI America Inc. subsidiary will manage the venture, which initially targets Japanese consumers now living in the U.S. KDDI execs told The Asahi Shimbun the MVNO will later expand its demographic reach to target other Asian populations as well.

Because of the standards schism between the U.S. and Japanese markets, the new KDDI service will employ handsets created for the Sprint Nextel network, although in June the operator will roll out handsets optimized for Japanese input and display. KDDI also said it plans to introduce ringtones and social networking services, also promising discounted calls to Japan.

For more on the KDDI U.S. launch:
- read this Asahi Shimbun article

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