TOKYO-KDDI Corp. plans to launch its third-generation CDMA2000 1xEV-DO network Nov. 28, offering a flat-rate fee of $38 a month. The launch will mark one of the first EV-DO mobile network launches in the world, followed by operators in South Korea and the United States.
The service, marketed under the brand name CDMA 1X WIN, will allow users to download large files from 15 channels that offer various applications. The service will initially be available in metropolitan Tokyo, Nagoya and Osaka, with nationwide expansion by fall 2004.
KDDI has seen much stronger uptake for its 1x service than rivals NTT DoCoMo Inc. and Vodafone K.K. have seen for their W-CDMA services. KDDI currently has more than 10 million subscribers for its 1x service, while DoCoMo has about 1 million 3G subscribers.
