Vodafone Group hoped that its worldwide roll out of 3G would allow it to regain market share in Japan. The global carrier planned to launch handsets made by Motorola, Nokia, and other foreign manufacturers through its Japanese operation, Vodafone K.K. Thus far the foreign phones have flopped. Why? While these 3G handsets are cutting edge for Europe, they are decidedly backward when compared with domestic 3G models. Vodafone also did not customize the phones for the Japanese market, where consumers are more data savvy and have established practices for accessing features like mobile email.
For more on foreign phones in Japan:
- view this piece from the International Herald Tribune