Japan Global WAN Services 2012–2016 Forecast Update and 2011 Analysis

This IDC study (which is a translation of the Japanese document IDC #J12020104), examines the strategies of Japanese carriers in the delivery of global communications services. It also sizes the market for international data communications services contracted in Japan. So far, competition in this market has been centered on equipment-based infrastructure, and carriers have been differentiating themselves on service coverage and communications bandwidths. However, as datacenter-centric cloud services move into the mainstream, the axes of competition have also shifted toward service rationalization/flexibility and ubiquitous connectivity.

"Japanese carriers must recognize this shift in competition areas early and ride on the waves of growth in global WAN services markets centered on Asia. It is also important for them to emphasize not only the functional but also the cultural aspects when bringing their services globally," Yuta Torisu, research analyst, Communications, IDC Japan.