- Business
- Okinawa Cellular Telephone Company, a subsidiary of KDDI Corporation, provides telecommunications and portable phone services primarily in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan; core offerings include mobile voice and data plans under the au brand, UQ mobile, and povo, alongside broadband internet via au HIKARI fiber-optic services, international and domestic communication, dedicated corporate lines, device sales and maintenance, au WALLET prepaid and credit services, energy-related solutions such as au electricity, and ancillary businesses in agriculture, tourism, and outsourcing; the company operates an advanced 4G/5G network with over 50% market share in the region, serving individual consumers, corporations, and local governments across Okinawa's main islands and remote areas. Founded in 1991 and headquartered in Naha, Okinawa, it maintains subsidiaries including OTNet Co., Inc., Okinawa Cellular AGRI&MARCHE CORPORATION, and Okinawa Cellular mirai create Co., Ltd., while leveraging partnerships with KDDI for network infrastructure. Recent developments encompass the completion of optical submarine cable projects enhancing remote island connectivity, collaboration with Ericsson and KDDI on the initial commercial deployment of fourth-generation RAN Compute platform for power-efficient 5G in early 2025, a new mid-term management plan announced in May 2025 targeting JPY100 billion in operating revenue by fiscal 2031 through growth in solutions business and strategic investments, ongoing equity buyback programs including a tranche update in 2025, and strengthened disaster resilience via Starlink satellite integration.