June 6, 2006

Subscription Contract Numbers for Broadband Services
(as of the end of March 2006)

MIC has compiled the subscription contract numbers as of the end of March 2006 that were reported by telecommunications carriers, pursuant to the provisions of the Rules for Reporting on Telecommunications Business (Ministerial Ordinance of MPT No. 46 of 1988).
Major trends found this time are as follows:

- The number of subscription contracts to FTTH exceeds the 5 million mark, showing a net increase for six consecutive quarters.
As of the end of March 2006, the number of FTTH subscription contracts is 5.46 million, surpassing the 5 million mark. In addition, the net increase in the number of subscription contracts during the fourth quarter (Q-IV; January through March 2006) was the highest ever, at 820,000. The net increases in the numbers of subscription contracts to FTTH have been seen for six consecutive quarters since the Q-II (July through September) 2004.
- Broadband subscription contracts stood at 23.30 million
As of the end of March 2006, the number of broadband subscription contracts is 23.30 million. The total number at the end of December 2005 was 22.37 million, showing an increase of 930,000 contracts during the Q-III of FY2005.

Breakdown of all broadband services
  Broadband total FTTH DSL Cable TV FWA
As of the end of March 2006 23,301,105 5,457,697 14,517,859 3,309,481 16,068
As of the end of December 2005 22,374,934* 4,637,280 14,480,958 3,236,466** 20,230
Net increase (January through March 2006) 926,171 820,417 36,901 73,015 -4,162
*Note 1: Number of subscription contracts: the total of all broadband access service contracts, including FTTH access service, DSL access service, cable TV access service and FWA access service
** Note 2: According to the announcement of figures as of the end of March 2006, the figures for cable TV and the total figure as of the end of December 2005 were adjusted.
++++++++++
For further information about this press release, please fill in the inquiry form and submit it to MIC on the website
http://www.soumu.go.jp/joho_tsusin/eng/contact.html

International Policy Division,
International Affairs Department
Telecommunications Bureau, MIC
TEL: +81-3-5253-5920 / FAX: +81-3-5253-5924