Big pipe – bigger apps

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Clearly we are moving toward next-generation networks, with LTE spending plans in Japan pegged at about $12 billion over the next five years, and spectrum allocation already granted. So what will go into those huge new invisible pipes, besides ever increasing demand for general data? Perhaps, the folks at DoCoMo R&D labs in Yokoska Research Park have a clue.

While the mobile world is buzzing now about augmented reality, and certainly it will be huge, the ability to combine holographic projection with a mobile device - ala Help Me Obi-Wan - would have to turn a few heads! While that might seem like reaching a bit too far, mobile today is basically at a half-life of 2020 with i-mode celebrating its 10th anniversary. We've come a long way since 2G running at 9k with mono-chrome screens. Interesting times ahead to be sure.

Lawrence Cosh-Ishii is a director at Mobikyo K.K (publisher of Wireless Watch Japan)

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2020 at a glance

• Telco of one
• 20 billion connected devices
• Augmented reality
• End-to-end fiber
• Smart enablers
• Content conflicts
• Dumb pipes rule OK
• RIP ARPU and MOU
• RIP pay-TV
• LTE thrives, Wimax survives
• Rethink in approach to generating revenue
• The coming application store shakedown
• Only scratched the surface
• Low-cost 4G everywhere
• Big pipe – bigger apps

Ten years gone: A brief history of the great 00s telecoms mash-up