AU dumps CDMA2000 for W-CDMA in next generation mobiles

01 Apr 2008

Wow, the Nikkei is reporting KDDI, the parent of AU, plans to dump CDMA2000 for W-CDMA in next generation high-speed mobiles.

AU has had a tough time competing with Docomo and Softbank on the roaming front with both carriers offering GSM + W-CDMA mobiles that can work just about anywhere. Adding the very non-CDMA concept of a SIM card to the latest AU mobiles has helped but you still need to swap over to another mobile whenever you roam. Going W-CDMA should also save AU a bundle on mobile production costs.