UQ Communications Commences Mobile WiMAX Trial

UQ Communications, the Japanese Mobile WiMAX license holder, will commence a trial period of 4 months prior to a formal network launch expected in July.

Starting on the 26^th of February 2009, trial area will include Tokyo, Yokohama and Kawasaki. Trial application forms are already available on UQ website, from which 5000 trial “Monitors” will be selected. Trial service is free of charge, with each participant receiving a “rental” data card from a selection of USB dongles, PCMCIA and express cards. Upon trial completion, participants will be able to select if they want to become paid subscribers or return the equipment.
On Service launch, UQ will offer the following:

• UQ Flat – A flat fee, boasting speeds of 40Mbps on the Downlink, 10Mbps Uplink – priced at ¥4480 per month.
• UQ WiFi – Optional with no added cost WiFi service to be offered at main transportation locations, including the N700 Shinkansen.

While currently available devices are data cards from Shinsei Corporation (UD01SS-USB and UD02SS-Express Card) and  NEC Access Technica (UD01NA-USB and UD02NA-PCMCIA Card) additional devices, including MID and Laptops are expected for the Network Launch in July.

UQ Communication was formed by KDDI Corporation (32.26%), Intel Capital (17.65%), Kyocera Corporation (17.65%), Daiwa Securities Group (9.8%) and Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ bank (5%) to offer Mobile WiMAX services.
While Mobile WiMAX services around the world falter (Sprint-Clearwire in the US, WiBRO in Korea) UQ Communication is right on track with their plans to deploy a nation-wide Mobile WiMAX network, signing several MVNOs and promising unprecedented Wireless data speeds.