On leaving the Chairmanship of the PHS MoU Group, I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to all that have given me so much support during my two-year term, by which I could have carried out my duties fruitfully and smoothly.
We established the PHS MoU Group in July 1996 with the help and effort of the people involved, one way or another, with PHS. The PHS MoU Group was originally modeled after the GSM MoU in Europe. The PHS MoU Group’s goal, as an international organisation, has been to make the Japanese-originated PHS technology a worldwide standard through the co-operation of our members and other organisations concerned, and listening to the demand and expectation of the experts around the world. It was among the first to aim at the creation of a global standard.
I think the PHS MoU Group has made and is making the considerable achievements towards its goal. Thanks to your co-operation, approximately 100 PHS specifications have been completed upon over the last two years. The specifications on a range of basic services and network functions have been completed.
PHS is introduced or adopted in 16 countries and is under field trial in more than 30 countries. I am very pleased, as Chairman, that our activities and PHS technology have contributed to so many countries.
It has been three years since the inauguration of PHS service in Japan. Though there was a slight decrease in these months, its subscribers reached the 7 million marks. This number is far larger than we ever anticipated at the start of service. The number of mobile communication subscribers in Japan, both PHS and cellular, has reached a level equivalent to over 60% of fixed telephone subscribers. Although there were biased or unfounded news on the PHS service in Japan since early this year, the PHS service has been expanding steadily. PHS service has been creating new demand in the market as a new personal communication, and is establishing a hold in the Japanese life style.
New application of PHS technology is under study or in operation, including 64 kbit/s and 128 kbit/s data communications service, the location information service, and network service interconnection with fixed ISDN lines. Next-generation PHS is also under study. I believe in the future of PHS technology.
Dr. Hitomi Murakami, Chairman of the Telecommunication Technology Committee of Japan, will succeed me as the Chairman of the PHS MoU Group. I believe that Dr. Murakami is the right person as the new leader to continue the group’s work into the 21st century. I wish that the PHS MoU Group would successfully continue its activity towards its goal through the co-operation of all members.