The Internet in Japan

There are two main ways to connect to the Internet in Japan : ADSL and the optical fiber.

■ADSL

Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) is a data communications technology that enables faster data transmission over copper telephone lines than a conventional modem can provide.
The distinguishing characteristic of ADSL is that the volume of data flow is greater in one direction than the other.
The low cost of ADSL in Japan makes Japan one of the cheapest places in the world for broadband Internet access.

■Fiber optic cable

An optical fiber is a thin, transparent fiber, usually made of glass or plastic for transmitting light.
The latest and greatest offer for connectivity for the masses, fiber optic cable boasts speeds of up to 100mbps but the service is still limited to certain areas and a bit more expensive than ADSL.

Japan is the world leader in FTTH deployments. Japan is an extremely competitive marketplace.
FTTH subscribers have exceeded new ADSL subscribers since early 2005 and surpassed total cable modem subscribers since June of 2005.

Download the comparative table of internet providers in Japan (French)