Overview of KDDI
KDDI Corporation is Japan's second-largest comprehensive telecommunications operator, with its mobile brand "au," known for high-quality network services and a rich business ecosystem. KDDI integrates mobile, fixed-line, satellite, and other communication technologies to provide comprehensive IoT connectivity services covering both urban and remote areas.
KDDI has a solid foundation in the Internet of Things (IoT) field, particularly excelling in the promotion and application of LPWA technologies (including LTE-M and NB-IoT). Its eSIM solutions and cross-border IoT connectivity services provide convenience for multinational enterprises, and it has established IoT roaming cooperation with multiple global operators.
KDDI Basic Information
- Founded: 2000, from the merger of DDI, KDD, and IDO
- Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
- Mobile brand: au
- Subscribers: About 60 million in Japan
- Network: 4G LTE, 5G NR, LTE-M, NB-IoT
- Notable services: Satellite, submarine cable, and international networks
Core Technical Capabilities
Satellite and terrestrial
Satellite links plus the cellular network for remote mountains and sea areas in Japan
Green IoT
Promoting low-carbon IoT solutions, supporting energy management and carbon reduction monitoring applications
IoT Security
End-to-end IoT security architecture to prevent device attacks and data leakage risks
Global IoT Roaming
Collaborate with overseas operators to provide cross-border IoT connectivity and support unified management of global devices
IoT Product System
IoT Connectivity Services
au IoT SIM
- LTE-M/NB-IoT SIM
- eSIM remote configuration
- Flexible data plan
- Low-power tuning
KDDI IoT Platform
- Unified device management
- Data visualization
- Alert notifications
- API integration support
Network standards and coverage
| Technical Standard | Frequency band | Coverage | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4G LTE | 700/800/1500/1800/2100MHz | More than 99% of Japan | Primary network |
| LTE-M | 800MHz | Wide coverage across Japan | Mobile low-power IoT |
| NB-IoT | 700MHz | Nationwide deployment | Fixed sensors |
| 5G NR | 3.7/28GHz | Expansion in major cities | High-speed enterprise IoT |
| Satellite communication | - | Remote area supplementation | Extra coverage where cellular is thin |
Industry Solutions
Energy management
- Solar generation monitoring
- Power equipment management
- Building energy systems
- EV charging-station management
Agricultural IoT
- Crop-environment monitoring
- Automatic irrigation
- Ranch management
- Fishery water-quality monitoring
Disaster Prevention and Mitigation
- Earthquake early warning
- Flood water-level monitoring
- Landslide monitoring
- Emergency communications in disasters
Logistics and Transportation
- Delivery-vehicle tracking
- Cold-chain temperature monitoring
- Warehouse management
- Support for uncrewed delivery
Competitive Advantages
- Combined networks: Mobile, fixed, and satellite in one operator
- Remote areas: Satellite fills gaps in the terrestrial network
- Energy: Long experience with energy-management IoT
- Quality: Built to Japan's quality and safety standards
- Roaming: IoT roaming with operators in other countries
Development History and Milestones
KDDI's predecessors include DDI (Second Denden), KDD (Kokusai Denshin Denwa), and IDO (Japan Mobile Communications), which merged in 2000 to form KDDI, integrating their respective strengths in fixed-line, international, and mobile communications. Its mobile service brand "au" has maintained the position of the second-largest mobile operator in the Japanese market thanks to its high-quality service and rich business ecosystem.
In terms of IoT development, KDDI was the first in Japan to commercially launch an LTE-M (eMTC) network in 2017, providing low-power mobile broadband connections for IoT devices. In 2019, KDDI began commercial 5G network operations and officially launched NB-IoT commercially in 2020, building a complete LPWA ecosystem covering high, medium, and low-speed requirements. Since 2021, KDDI has actively promoted dedicated 5G networks (Local 5G) services, assisting in the digital transformation of factories, ports, and construction sites.
Service Support System
Technical Support
- 24/7 IoT technical line
- Named enterprise account managers
- Consulting for IoT rollouts
- A test environment for device access
IoT Data Plan Selection
- LTE-M low-power plans
- NB-IoT plans for very low rates
- Custom 5G private networks for enterprises
- Shared data pools
Partner Program
- Certification for IoT module makers
- Work with system integrators
- Support for platform developers
- Joint solution work
IoT Selection Recommendations
Applicable Scenarios for Choosing KDDI IoT Services
- Domestic Deployment in Japan: For IoT projects needing coverage across all of Japan, including mountainous areas and islands, KDDI is preferred
- Energy and Utilities: KDDI has mature solutions in areas such as solar power generation, electricity monitoring, and smart metering
- Agriculture and Fisheries: KDDI has extensive practical experience in IoT applications for Japanese agriculture and fisheries
- Disaster Prevention and Emergency Response: Japan is prone to earthquakes and floods, and KDDI's disaster communication solutions have been fully validated
- Global Enterprises: For multinational enterprises with business in Japan that also need to consider overseas roaming for IoT deployment