[Michael_Voyageur]

E-Japan strategy : évolutions et avenir des services internet au Japon en 2004

Article sur le site Asia Nikkei Electronic au sujet de l'evolution des service internet au Japon dans les prochains mois.
Plusieurs tendances dégagées :
-Expansion de l'accès à haut débit, notamment dans les réseaux sans fil, et l'DSL longue distance;
-Développement des applications domotiques concretes : caméras de surveillance et detecteurs d'intrusions;
-Paiement en ligne par téléphone portable facilitant les échanges comemrciaux;
-Des échanges plus surs : Sécurisation des transactions et traçabilité des produits;

Plus de détails dans l'article :


The Internet in 2004: Challenges and Solutions in Key Areas of Concern


January 13, 2004 (TOKYO) -- The Internet is already revolutionizing not only the corporate business world, but the lives of ordinary people. Yet many challenges remain.

What progress will be made in 2004 toward overcoming the various challenges that affect Internet usage? This week's feature looks at possible solutions and likely directions in some key areas of Internet infrastructure and utilization.

Broadband Services: Wireless and Long-Distance DSL Technologies

Over the past year, the number of subscribers to flat-rate, always-on broadband services grew by 80%, topping 12 million at the end of September 2003.

But to maintain this rapid pace of growth, providers need to expand their potential user base. Fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) is not well suited to existing apartment complexes because of the difficulties involved in laying fiber to individual apartments. Asymmetric digital subscriber line (ADSL) technology, on the other hand, because of its transmission characteristics, declines sharply in performance at distances further than 4km or 5km from the NTT central office. Technologies and services that can overcome these obstacles to broadband penetration will become increasingly important in the future.

One way of enabling FTTH is to use very high data rate DSL (VDSL) for communications within each of the apartment buildings in a complex. Such services are being provided by Tokyo Electric Power Co, Inc, NTT East Corp and NTT West Corp, and by KDDI Corp. Other services use radio signals from the nearest power pole. Using the 26GHz band, the two NTT regional carriers offer data rates of up to 32Mbps upstream and 46Mbps downstream.

ReachDSL, a proprietary technology from Paradyne Worldwide Corp, is one way of increasing the number of households that could potentially use ADSL for broadband. The latest version, ReachDSL 2.2, enables connection at maximum speeds of 2.2Mbps both upstream and downstream over distances of more than 5km-7km. It is being used by Softbank BB Corp and other carriers.

Affordable ADSL services are also appearing, aimed at those who don't access the Internet very often. Such services offer limited downstream data rates of up to 1Mbps for a monthly fee of no more than 2,000 yen, including line rental and connection charges.

Home Networking: Real Demand for Intrusion Detection Sensors and Surveillance Cameras

Spurred by the growth of residential broadband access, many consumer electronics manufacturers have been intent on offering greater added value by linking up a variety of electronic and electric products over a network. As yet, however, manufacturers have not discovered any strong or widespread demand for networked appliances.

Take household appliances, for example. Various ideas have been mooted for controlling appliances via the Internet, including presetting air conditioners and washing machines, delivering recipes to microwaves, and checking what's in the refrigerator. But it is not clear how much consumers might be willing to pay for such functions. Audio-visual equipment enabled for content delivery has similarly failed to open up any new possibilities in the market.

Against this background, anti-theft and surveillance functionality looks set to become an emerging trend in home networking in 2004. Surveillance functions include checking video and still pictures from surveillance cameras installed in the home via a mobile phone, receiving mobile phone alerts whenever anything unusual is detected by the sensors installed in the home to detect intruders or opening and closing of windows, and turning lights on and off remotely so that the house appears to be occupied. A large number of vendors, such as Matsushita Electric Industrial Co, Ltd, have started selling Net-enabled security devices and home networking services.

Unlike Internet appliances, security devices are apparently attracting an increasing number of users who want them, regardless of expense.

But cost remains a significant issue. Installing a home controller and security devices entails an initial outlay of around 150,000 yen to 500,000 yen, plus central server access charges of approximately 1,000 yen to 2,000 yen per month. Moreover, having installed the equipment, the user is still obliged to respond to any security breaches. Having security personnel come as required would require a separate contract with a security service.

Online Payments: Mobile Hookup to Facilitate Procedures

Payment at e-commerce Web sites is generally a worrying and unsatisfactory business. But the situation will completely change in 2004. The key to improvement is user authentication services and mobile phones.

First of all, use of credit cards with authentication functionality will become widespread. Visa International took the initiative in July 2003 when it introduced the Visa authentication service, which permits payment only after cardholders have identified themselves by password. Other credit card companies have started similar services.

Services utilizing mobile phones rather than credit cards promise even greater security and operability. For example, from March to August 2003, KDDI conducted field trials of an automatic payment service called Kei-Credit, which utilizes credit data stored on a tiny smart card called a User Identity Module (UIM). The user inserts the UIM into a mobile phone, and the Kei-Credit service reads the data via software installed inside the phone.

Even more sophisticated authentication functions based on fingerprints have emerged too. In November 2003, JCB Co, Ltd launched a trial that utilizes the fingerprint authentication capability provided in mobile handsets when users access the MyJCB site for cardholders with mobile accounts .

Mobile phones will also make electronic money more convenient. For example, with the emergence of mobile handsets equipped with the FeliCa contactless smart card, users should be able to deposit money and make credit payments online via the "Edy" electronic money service using just their mobile phone.

E-Japan: Success Depends on Security and System Linkage

In July 2003, the government announced the second phase of its "e-Japan strategy" with the goal of making Japan a leading IT nation by 2005. The plan aims to establish lifestyle amenities and social infrastructure based on information technology. Central government agencies along with local authorities, medical institutions, the private sector, and various other community organizations are now involved in efforts to realize an IT society.

The central government has already computerized more than 97% of official application processes, enabling people to complete applications online. The National Tax Agency has systematized the filing of blue returns and tax payment procedures, and will start operating the "e-Tax" electronic tax declaration system. The Nagoya Regional Taxation Bureau will start accepting e-Tax declarations in February 2004, followed by all other tax bureaus in June or thereafter.

In August 2003, the Cabinet Office announced its "e-Japan Priority Policy Program," spelling out in practical detail the second phase of the e-Japan strategy. The program sets out the planned initiatives and quantitative targets in seven categories. Among these, the food category is one that will develop significantly in 2004.

A traceability system for foodstuffs will be introduced, enabling consumers to check the producing area and distribution route of a food product via a Website. The main concern is domestically produced beef. The system was prompted by the BSE (mad cow disease) scare and has led to the exposure of illegal labeling. On Dec 1, 2003, the government instigated special measures relating to the management and communication of information for identifying individual cows, and launched a beef traceability system . Distributors, retailers, and restaurants will have to comply with beef ID labeling requirements by December 2004.

If subscriber numbers continue climbing at the current rate, broadband subscribers will approach 20 million by the end of 2004, representing more than 40% of households.
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