DDI Pocket Telephone group has commenced its PHS service in Tokyo and Hokkaido areas at 0:00 am on July 1. In Tokyo area, approximately 7,300 base stations over 39 major cities have been established, and approximately 800 base stations over three major cities for Hokkaido area. The number of working mobile telephones provided by the DDI Pocket Telephone group as of September 30 in both Tokyo and Hokkaido areas sums up to 80,000. The remaining areas are expected to have the service available in October 1995, which will provide every major city in Japan with PHS service.
MPT sees the total number of PHS subscribers reaching approximately 7.5 million by the year 2000 and 38 million by 2010 in Japan. PHS is expected to create a sizable market.
As PHS is relatively simple in structure compared to that of the cellular systems, a most reasonable rate could be realized (Table 1). The local call rate in particular is as low as ¥40 for up to three minutes which is close to that of a call from a public payphone (¥30). PHS is seen becoming popular among potential subscribers who until now could not afford a mobile telephone due to its service charges.
The PHS service provided by DDI Pocket group features 500mW-output base stations, that was put into use based upon its original technology: the coverage area extends over the radius of 300 - 500m, which provides quality service to the subscribers over a wider area. Another advantage is that it was made easier for suburban area with low traffic to secure service areas. (Photo 1)

Photo 1. DDI Pocket's cell station

As the DDI Pocket group's terminals are sold by nine manufacturers, the subscribers can choose from a wide variety of terminals, ranging from basic types to multifunctional ones (Photo 2).

Photo 2. DDI Pocket's terminals

PHS is noted for being conducive to data communications. The data transmission speed for PHS is 32kbps over 1 channel, approximately three times that of the cellular systems. The standardization of PHS data communications is to be completed by this autumn. After this standardization takes place, further developments will follow, such as implementation of outdoor PC online communications via PHS as well as provision of multimedia equipment that combine PHS terminals with data processing terminals like electronic pocketbooks.
PHS will change your life.

Table 1. Comparison with Public Payphone
Distance	PHS (DDI)	Payphone
Within MA	40 yen	30 yen
Adjacent ~ 20 km	50 yen	40 yen
~ 30 km		60 yen
~ 40 km	60 yen	80 yen
~ 60 km		110 yen
~ 80 km	110 yen	140 yen
~ 100 km		160 yen
~ 160 km	160 yen	200 yen
160 km ~	200 yen	220 yen
(8:00 ~ 19:00 weekday, 3 min.)