1. Telecommunication Consultancy In Developing Countries

KDDI conducts consultancy activities related to the development of telecommunications infrastructure in developing countries through KDDI Engineering and Consulting, Inc. (KEC). KEC was established in 1974, with the aim of contributing to the advancement of telecommunications, and to social, economic and cultural development. In addition to consulting on telecommunications technology related to Official Development Assistance (ODA), KEC accepts trainees from developing countries, primarily based on government programs for the transfer of technology to developing countries and the nurturing of human resources.Furthermore, KEC is entrusted with study and research relating to Japanese and global technological and business trends in telecommunications. It also publishes the monthly "Information Communications Bulletin" and the "Almanac of Satellite Communications". Seminars and facility tours relating to the broad spectrum of information and communications technology, including satellite communications/broadcasting, and international cooperation are also organised by KEC.

2. Bridging The Digital Divide

The “Digital Divide” is a term coined to describe the problem of disparity between the "haves" and "have-nots" in respect of information and communication technology (ICT) including computer skills, Internet access, etc. Such disparity is recognised to exist between developed countries and developing countries, between urban areas and remote (rural) areas, etc. KDDI provides know-how based on its own technologies to help eliminate the digital divide in developing countries, especially in remote areas. Specific examples to date include the introduction of a wireless LAN system (CFO-SS [1]), developed by KDDI R&D Laboratories, to remote areas such as Bario in Sarawak Province, Malaysia and Ha Tinh in Vietnam. By utilising the wireless broadband communications system in collaboration with local municipalities, telecommunications operators, universities, hospitals, etc., KDDI's technologies and experience have been transferred to local partners; thereby contributing to the development of human resources. KDDI contributes to the improvement of telecommunications infrastructure in developing countries through participation in telecommunications-related international organizations such as the International Telecommunication Union, Development Sector (ITU-D) and the Asia-Pacific Telecommunity (APT). One example of KDDI's activities within ITU-D is a contribution to the compilation of a range of handbooks designed to facilitate the development of telecommunications in developing countries, with a special focus on IMT-2000 (third generation cellular phones) and broadband systems, based on KDDI's know-how. As a part of APT's human resource development program, KDDI has worked with local information and communications technology engineers to mutually improve the skill and knowledge levels of human resources through personnel exchange programs in the Asia-Pacific region, and collaborative trials of broadband wireless LAN systems in remote areas of developing countries. These international cooperation activities have been greatly appreciated, and every year a number of KDDI personnel receive the International Cooperation Award or the International Cooperation Encouragement Award (both co-sponsored by the Association of the International Cooperation Forum on Telecommunications and Broadcasting and the ITU Association of Japan).

3. Dispatch Of Experts To Developing Countries

Since 1960, KDDI has played an active role in Japanese technology transfer programs by sending experts in the field of telecommunications technology to more than 20 developing countries, not only in Asia, but also in Africa, South America and other regions. Responding to requests from the Japanese government and such organisations as the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), KDDI has contributed to improvement of the telecommunications infrastructure in developing countries by sharing its accumulated experience and know-how in telecommunications technologies with local experts.

4. Support For Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCV) programme

From the introductory stages of the JOCV program by JICA, KDDI has supported its employees who have volunteered to take up the challenge of participating in the program. Specialists in the field of telecommunications technology have been sent to Asia, Africa, etc. KDDI's ongoing support to employees during such activities enables the volunteers to fully devote themselves to assisting developing countries. KDDI plans to extend similar support to employees who wish to participate in JICA's Senior Overseas Volunteers program.

5. Technical Training Internships

Since 1957, KDDI has accepted trainees from developing countries under the framework of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the Asia-Pacific Telecommunity (APT) and other institutions that sponsor training programs in order to facilitate transfer of telecommunications-related technologies—including satellite communications and multimedia technologies—as well as to nurture human resources in developing countries.

To date, over 5,000 trainees from government institutions, private operators and research institutions involved in the telecommunications industry in Asian, African and Asia-Pacific nations have been given the skills to make valuable contributions to the development of telecommunications industries in their home countries, upon completion of their internships.