Initiatives outside Japan

Initiatives in Growth Markets outside Japan

We believe expanding information and communications services in emerging countries is key to solving various social issues. KDDI strives to provide emerging countries with stable communication quality, utilizing our experience, expertise, and technology of telecommunications services that we have cultivated in and outside Japan, aiming to achieve higher quality of life and economic growth of the people of each country.
In addition, the KDDI Foundation also supports the building of communication infrastructure in emerging countries where we do not have direct operations.

Data Center Solutions outside Japan

KDDI's data center brand, Telehouse, is used by many customers as a platform for their global business, taking care of their equipment and providing operation and maintenance services 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

We have established more than 45 Telehouse data centers in 10 or more countries. The data centers have garnered acclaim for their service quality and reliability in more than 30 years of operational experience as well as their high connectivity, which brings together world-class internet exchange (IX) providers, telecommunications operators, and cloud-computing operators, and more. In addition, Telehouse data centers are equipped with high-capacity electric power, highly efficient and reliable power supply equipment, and energy-efficient air conditioning. The data center business is aiming to achieve net-zero CO2 emissions by fiscal 2026.

Maintenance and Operation of Global Network

We connect networks with communications providers around the world, and, in cooperation with these companies, we maintain and operate a global network linking different parts of the world. In addition, KDDI provides high quality international communications services using highly reliable optical fiber submarine cables as trunk networks. We also provide services using new platforms of the KDDI IoT World Architecture, as represented by the Connected Cars.
Submarine cables provide 99% [1] of Japan's international traffic, being an important component of the social infrastructure. Moving forward, we will offer even more reliable communications services for the Asia and Pacific regions, where demand is expected grow. The KDDI Group's submarine cable cable-laying vessels, KDDI Cable Infinity and KDDI Ocean Link, work to build and maintain a highly reliable global infrastructure using the high-performance undersea cable technology.
KDDI handles these international communication services mainly through its Global Network Operation Center, which enables calls and data transmissions to anywhere in the world and insure secured international communication services around the clock.

  1. [1]According to research by KDDI

Business Expansion outside Japan

Business Expansion in Myanmar

In Myanmar, KDDI and Sumitomo Corporation formed joint venture KDDI Summit Global Myanmar ("KSGM") in 2014.
KSGM entered into an agreement with Myanmar Posts & Telecommunications ("MPT"), which is a licensed telecommunications business, in 2014 for the operation of the telecommunications business. Under this agreement, KSGM is involved in telecommunications projects in Myanmar through its support of MPT. Prior to 2014, the mobile phone penetration was around 10%, but today the service area has expanded nationwide, and the mobile phone penetration has reached 125% [2]. The high quality and convenient communication services, such as the Internet and watching videos on smartphones are now available nationwide to all.

  1. [2]Reference: GSMA Intelligence as of March 2022

To further improve customer satisfaction and telecommunication quality in Myanmar, KDDI has been running long-term training programs for MPT workers. In this program, KDDI employees pass on to trainees the advanced network technology that KDDI has developed over many years in the telecommunications business, as well as their knowledge and know-how in sales and business operations. After returning to Myanmar, the trainees will continue to use the skills they have gained in Japan to contribute to Myanmar's growth.

KDDI is deeply concerned about the tense situation in Myanmar since the declaration of a state of emergency on February 1, 2021. In April 2021, we published a statement on our website in support of the statement expressed by the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Myanmar in March of the same year, and in September of the same year, we published a statement regarding our local telecommunications business and human rights initiatives since the declaration of the state of emergency. We sincerely hope that the human rights of the people of Myanmar will be protected, and that the situation will be resolved quickly and peacefully.

Business Expansion in Mongolia

MobiCom Corporation ("MobiCom") was established in 1995 and launched the country's first mobile phone service in 1996. Since then, MobiCom has contributed to the country's economic growth and the improvement of people's lives through the development of communications infrastructure over the past 26 years.
In 2021, we adopted leading-edge technologies, such as Massive MIMO [3] and VoLTE [4] to further improve service quality and deliver a comfortable communication environment to our customers. Furthermore, we rolled out "monpay," Mongolia's first electronic money business. This business has contributed to the development of financial services using mobile phones (e.g., the issuance of digital bonds payable [5]). We also offer this technology and know-how for countries other than Mongolia.
KDDI has accepted a total of eight trainees from MobiCom since 2018 as part of its resource exchange program to provide them with training on corporate sales and marketing as well as security systems. Through the exchange of personnel, we contribute to enhancing telecommunications business in Mongolia.
KDDI will continue to contribute to the achievement of a truly connected society in Mongolia through the development of its telecommunications and related businesses.

  1. [3]A technology to provide high-speed communications using more antenna elements than ever before.
  2. [4]An acronym for "Voice over Long Term Evolution," a high-quality voice call service using LTE that improves call quality and reduces call connection times compared to conventional 2G/3G calls.
  3. [5]A series of transactions such as purchasing, holding, and redeeming bonds can be completed with "monpay", and the entire process of purchasing, holding, and redeeming bonds payable, as well as receiving interest, can all be done with e-money.

Initiatives of the KDDI Foundation

Ever since the KDDI Foundation took over international cooperation projects from former KDD, it has contributed to the sustained growth of the international community, especially developing countries, for over 60 years, keeping track of local realities and what people faced. In 2020, although the COVID-19 pandemic significantly affected us, we moved further ahead with the use of the internet and the localization of our assistance.

Research on FM Emergency Alert Broadcasting Systems in Rural Areas of Mongolia

We introduced Japanese technology for the operation of FM radio broadcasting and emergency alert broadcasting systems, and conducted studies to formulate guidelines and build model stations for FM broadcasting in Mongolia.

Research on Medical e-Service Platforms Using Chatbots in Vietnam

We prototyped an application that enables Covid-19 symptom checks and online surveys on a web-based chatbot platform.

Inclusive Education with Digital Materials for the People with Visually and Hearing Impairments in Nepal

Two hundred eighty-eight digital teaching materials with sign language inserts and 30 e-books with voice reading functions were made and introduced to three special schools. The Foundation and UNICEF shared support for this initiative.

Continued Tablet-Based Learning in Nepal (Home Study Support)

Despite intermittent school closures due to the pandemic, we continued our efforts to allow students to study at home by saving digital learning materials on their tablets (6 targeted schools, 200 tablets).

Robot Programming Education to Develop Logical Thinking in Nepal

The "robot programming education for fun and learning" program continued to be conducted by local teachers.

Enhance Regional Administrative Services in Nepal Using Smart Network Technologies

We procured networkable medical equipment that is compatible with telemedicine, and provided support for software development, including a fixed assets management system and a distance education application.

Support for Building a Learning Resumption e-Learning Platform in Vietnam

The learning resumption e-learning platform has added content, learning progress management functions, etc.

Support for the Traditional Cambodian Performing Art "Large Shadow Puppet (Sbek Thom)"

We continue to provide support for the production of shadow puppets as well as opportunities to perform them.

New Curriculum Implemented at a Village School in Myanmar

Classes were held on English, computers, and music, with a focus on art.

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