Memorial Cover Story of the 500th Issue

Thorough examination on communication environments in 50 cities in the world

The subscribers to cell phones are exploding worldwide.  It is the gigantic markets in Asia, such as China and India, and the emerging markets, such as the Middle East and Africa, that are driving the growing subscribers.  The US and other countries such as Japan, Korea, and the European countries have started approaching new communication services such as FTTH and IPTV.  This article attempts to shed light on the present of the world communications, based on the thorough study on the communication situations of major 50 cities in the world.

Overview

"Common senses" in communications greatly differ in Japan and overseas

Looking at the current status of fixed and cell telephony, and environments for the Internet connections

Fixed telephony: will be used as broadband lines in the future

Cell telephony: GSM could connect you to every part of the world

Internet connection environments: Dial-up connections still prevail

Asia and Oceania

With the mixture of the most-advanced and developing areas, China and India will become the ultra gigantic markets

Middle East and Africa

Cell phone subscribers are mushrooming, making these areas look like a "trade show" for wireless communications

Europe

With the in-place communication infrastructures, carriers expand beyond the borders

North America and Latin America

These areas show a small gap between the cities and offer WiMAX and FTTH services

Highly technical term you need to know

Interconnection charges for cell pones