SIM unlock, "Basically meaningless" --Kddi claims --cnet Japan

　"Simply unlocking SIM does not mean that users will have benefits."KDDI will hold a press conference on March 31 prior to the public hearing on the SIM lock of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications on April 2.He explained to the press about the current situation of the SIM lock and refute to the call calling for the release of the SIM lock.

　SIM locks are limited to mobile phones so that only SIM cards such as specific businesses are supported.In the case of NTT DOCOMO and SoftBank Mobile, we have a mechanism that only accepts our own SIM card.In the case of KDDI, the specifications are not accepted except for the first SIM inserted into the terminal for security reasons, so that users can not lend or borrow terminals.However, you can unlock at the au shop.

　KDDI has three major points as a reason why SIM unlocking has no significant meaning.

　One is that the communication method used differs depending on the telecommunications carrier.NTT DOCOMO, SoftBank, and E-Mobile use a method called W-CDMA, while au adopts CDMA2000.There is no SIM card compatibility between W-CDMA and CDMA2000, and there are no terminals that are compatible with both types.For this reason, even if you remove the SIM lock, you will not be able to call by inserting the SIM that au users in the NTT DOCOMO terminal can be called.

　The second is the difference in the frequency used by each company.Existing terminals only support the frequency used by each telecommunications carrier.Unless the terminal is corresponding to the frequency of any carrier, it cannot be used by replacing the SIM card.

　Third, the technical specifications of each company's services are different.Voice, SMS (short messages), and TV phone specifications are determined by 3GPP standard, so if SIM locks are unlocked, it can be used on various terminals.However, e -mail, Internet access, apps, etc. have different specifications depending on the company and are not compatible.

　Based on these facts, the company claims that unleashing SIM locks is basically meaningless (KDDI Wataries, and Yasuhiro Koga, Director of the Public Relations Headquarters).

　In the era of the next -generation high -speed communication technology "LTE", Koga says that the fundamental problem is the same.Each company plans to adopt a sequence LTE after 2010.However, the start time varies, and the frequency band used is different.In addition, even if LTE is used for data communication, a method of using a third -generation mobile phone (3G) network is being considered for voice calls.

　Unless a terminal corresponding to the communication method and frequency of each company appears, unlocking the SIM can not use the same terminal between different telecommunications carriers, even if the same terminal can be used, only a limited service can be used.If you like, the benefits for users are weak.Moreover, as it has to be supported by various specifications, the development cost of the terminal will increase, which will eventually lead to a rise in price.This is KDDI's statement.

　"I understand that SIM unlock is a terminal problem. In the case of the frequency bands and service specifications used by each company, it is meaningful to unlock if all corresponding terminals come out.You should leave it to market competition "(Mr. Koga)

　Looking at the situation in Europe and the United States, Koga says that SIM lock is a common method.Originally, the concept of SIM -free was born from the idea that in Europe, where the second -generation mobile phone (2G), which is mainly called a call, is common in Europe, where the country is different, even if the country is different.。Second corresponding to email and Internet connection.5th generation mobile phone (2).It is said that it has become common to apply SIM locks for a certain period of time as a means of collecting terminal sales incentives at monthly communication charges.

　For example, T-MOBILE in Germany uses a method of locking SIM and unlocking SIM for free in two years.If you want to remove the SIM lock within 2 years 99.It costs 50 euros.

　In the UK, businesses have stipulated guidelines for enforcing SIM unlocking, but were abolished in 2002 and are now being decided by businesses.The United States has no restrictions on locking SIM unlocking.