Summary of Joint Research on Third and Fourth Generation Mobile Communications Systems

[Purpose and Scope of Research] The purpose of this research is to understand the present situation and to survey the future of third and fourth generation (3G and 4G, respectively) mobile communications systems. Four diffusion sample scenarios are generated from the point of view on how far 3G or non-3G wireless services will be accepted by the market by the year 2010, when 4G services are expected to materialize. In the basic concept of 4G, which is at present under joint examination by the government and private sectors, seamless cooperation among mobile phones and other wireless services is intended. The practical image of 4G services depends upon how these services are integrated as of 2010. Studies were conducted to present the future prospects for each of four scenarios of the shift of power balance among the key players who are potential leaders of service integration, as well as the kind of service integration patterns that can exist as a result. Also, in order to understand the quantitative difference among the scenarios, trial calculations were made on a market scale (basic fees and traffic fees) of 3G and non-3G charged wireless communication services.