Ubiquitous [yoo-bik-wi-tuhs]: existing or being everywhere, especially at the same time; omnipresent.
This is a word that is not frequently used – it doesn’t even exist in my word bank.
However, it is a word that best describes the ability for us to be everywhere thanks to tablet PCs and smartphones. We are globally connected; breaking news from around the world can be communicated and viewed within seconds of it happening. This global network grew with help from Apple’s iPad and fueled by the expansion of WiFi service.
Ten years ago, it was difficult to find any WiFi service in public areas throughout Japan. Nowadays, we can find WiFi signals in almost any public place including airports, trains stations, hotels, shopping malls, restaurants and more. They now offer WiFi service in airplanes!
Living in this ubiquitous society is not free. WiFi services in Japan are expensive and always increasing. Providers try to lock us into long term contracts by making the “pay as you go” plans unaffordable. You can hop onto the internet for free by visiting an Apple store or some cafés. Even fast food restaurants now offer free WiFi as a way to attract customers. However, for most of us we want to connect instantly and always have a signal. That’s why WiFi service providers in Japan continue to prosper.
A question is whether this kind of WiFi service in Japan can continue in the long term. The business model in the US is one that Japan will eventually evolve to. In the US, Burger King and Wendy’s began offering WiFi services because they saw some of their customer base eroding. Many of their customers wanted to connect to the internet for free during their meals. The travel industry also realized the importance of offering free WiFi. Trains and long distance bus services are equipped with on-board WiFi.
Airports use to charge for WiFi service, but switched to a free WiFi model. As a customer, you have two choices: if you want free WiFi, you have to listen to a advertising; however, you can swipe your credit card and pay for WiFi if you want to eliminate the advertising. Airports upgraded their gates by increasing the number of power ports. Devices can be charged without waiting for an outlet to be available.
The WiFi service in airplanes is not free yet, but I believe it will be free in the near future. The WiFi service in the U.S. became an advertising tool for businesses.
The WiFi service companies in Japan are maintaining their customer base, but they should understand the IT world moves quickly. There is always something new, or some company can offer you the service for less. The WiFi business may not last forever for some of these companies. I am an example of this: I terminated my current WiFi contract last month because I found one that is less expensive.
Dominique K. Numakura, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
DKN Research, www.dknresearchllc.com
DKN Research Newsletter #1412, May 18, 2014 (English Edition)
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Headlines of the Week (Please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for further information. )
1. Sumitomo Chemical will expand the manufacturing capacity of separator sheets for lithium ion batteries 90% by autumn of 2014.
2. Sony has developed a new magnetic tape with 148Gb/in2 surface memory capacity by sputtering process. The total capacity can be more than 185TB per reel.
3. Sumitomo will invest 345 million US$ to build a new wind power plant in Texas with 200MW capacity. The equipment will be supplied from General Electric.
4. NEC developed a new manufacturing process of non-food base bio-cellulose plastic. It reduces manufacturing energy 90%.
5. AIST developed a new photovoltaic cell construction with high current efficiency introducing thin organic molecular structure.
6. Pioneer co-developed a new large capacity optical disc with 256GB (one side) for the next generation archives.
7. Furukawa Electric Power Systems commercialized a new siloxane-free elastic heat sink sheet “Efco TM Sheet V30” with high insulation and heat resistance.
8. Shinano Kenshi decided to build a new plant of automobile motors in Mexico for the North American market.
9. Toshiba will start a new manufacturing business for chemical-free vegetables by modifying a electronics plant “Toshiba Clean Farm Yokosuka.”
10. Nippon Zeon announced a new construction plan to build a manufacturing plant for carbon nano tubes with “Super Growth Method,” developed by AIST.
11. Samsung Display will invest an additional $5 billion in 2014 on R&D and volume manufacturing of AM-OLED including flexible types.
