History

1985: Before deregulation of the telecommunications industry
1985 - 2000
2000 onward: the KDDI era

As of August 3, 2015

1953	March	Kokusai Denshin Denwa Co., Ltd. (KDD) is established. An international operator's workstation around the launch of KDD. (Inside Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Public Corporation around 1953) KDD company symbol
1963	October	First successful TV broadcast reception between Japan and the U.S.A. occurs at the Ibaraki Space Communications Experimental Station. Ibaraki Space Communications Experimental Station (former Ibaraki Satellite Communications Center) when it first opened
1964	June	KDD starts No. 1 Trans Pacific Cable (TPC-1) service. TPC-1 (Trans Pacific Cable 1) was the first submarine cable to link the Kanagawa Prefecture Ninomiya Cable Landing Station and Guam and continue into mainland U.S.A. via Hawaii. It opened on June 19, 1964. Using a coaxial submarine cable, it had a small capacity of only 128 telephone lines and handled communications between Japan and the U.S.A for 26 years until 1990. The SS Long Lines discharges TPC-1 (Ninomiya, Kanagawa Prefecture)
1964	August	KDD joins INTELSAT (International Telecommunications Satellite Organization).
1966	December	KDD starts service for Ibaraki Earth Station in Takahagi Ibaraki Prefecture. TV transmission between Japan and the U.S.A. begins. In addition to acting as an earth station for INTELSAT Pacific Ocean satellite transmissions, this station was also used for TV signals via PanAmSat and AsiaSat. It closed on March 16, 2007. The Ibaraki Space Communications Experimental Station is inaugurated as the Ibaraki Earth Station in December 1966.
1969	May	KDD starts service for Yamaguchi Earth Station in Yamaguchi Prefecture. A satellite circuit is established between Japan and Europe.
1973	March	KDD starts International Direct Dialing (IDD) service.
1974	July	KDD Building is completed (Shinjuku, Tokyo) An international communications center equipped with the newest communications technology (current KDDI Building)
1977	March	KDD joins International Maritime Satellite Organization (INMARSAT).
1984	June	Daini-Denden Planning Company is established.
1984	November	Teleway Japan Corporation (TWJ) is established.

As of August 3, 2015

1985	April	Implementation of Telecommunications Business Law (deregulation of the telecommunications industry)
1985	April	DDI CORPORATION (DDI) launches operations.
1986	March	Tokyo Telecommunication Network Co., Inc. (TTNet) is established in Kanto as a regional telecommunications company.
1986	October	DDI begins Tokaido Route (Tokyo-Nagoya-Osaka) leased circuit service.
1987	March	NIPPON IDOU TSUSHIN CORPORATION is established.
	June	KANSAI CELLULAR TELEPHONE COMPANY is established.
	September	DDI begins Domestic long-distance service along the Tokaido Route (Tokyo-Nagoya-Osaka).
	October	KYUSHU CELLULAR TELEPHONE COMPANY is established.
	November	CHUGOKU CELLULAR TELEPHONE COMPANY is established.
1988	April	TOHOKU CELLULAR TELEPHONE COMPANY is established.
	May	HOKURIKU CELLULAR TELEPHONE COMPANY is established.
	July	HOKKAIDO CELLULAR TELEPHONE COMPANY is established.
	December	IDO launches car telephone service using the Hi-Cap analog cellular system. First emergence of a new car phone in the NTT dominated car phone market Hi-Cap car phone
1989	April	KDD starts service for No. 3 Trans Pacific Cable (TPC-3), the first submarine optical cable in the Pacific Ocean. This 13,300 km cable connecting the Chikura Cable Landing Station - Guam - Hawaii - Mainland U.S.A. was the world's longest at the time. Discharging "TPC-3," the first submarine optical cable in the Pacific Ocean (Chikura, Chiba Prefecture)
	April	SHIKOKU CELLULAR TELEPHONE COMPANY is established.
	May	IDO launches Handy Phone Service (a compact lightweight cellular phone). In addition to the traditional shoulder-type phones, a handy type small cellular phone. With its compact body that the user can hold with one hand, usage increased in the business arena. Hi-Cap handy phone
	July	KANSAI CELLULAR begins TACS system.
1991	June	OKINAWA CELLULAR TELEPHONE COMPANY is established.
	July	Tu-KA Cellular Tokyo Inc. is established.
	October	TU-KA Phone Kansai Inc. is established.
	October	IDO launches TACS-based Service. T-61
1992	February	TU-KA Cellular Tokai Inc. is established.
	December	DDI completes national service network.
	December	IDO and CELLULAR Group introduce TACS-based nationwide roaming and interconnection.
1993	September	DDI is listed in the Second Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
1994	April	Mobile phone customer purchase system begins. The system wherein users purchase the mobile phone handsets that phone companies had been renting up until then. It eliminated the need for users to pay expensive deposits, and marked the beginning of popularity among younger users.
	April	KANSAI CELLULAR launches Personal Digital Cellular (PDC) system.
	June	IDO launches Personal Digital Cellular (PDC) system. Text input limited to alphabet and katakana, with a monochrome liquid crystal display. The first mobile phone handsets did not have an email function. "Puchi mail" service started in 1997. T205
	November	PHS enterprise DDI Pocket Telephone Group begins with nine companies.
1995	September	DDI is listed in the First Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
1997	July	DION Service is launched.
1998	December	Kokusai Denshin Denwa Co., Ltd. (KDD) and Teleway Corp. merge to create KDD Corporation.
1999	April	IDO and CELLULAR Group complete cdmaOne nationwide seamless network. In addition to superior high-speed data transmission performance, this network is characterized by calls not breaking up and a marked improvement in replicating the natural voice of the speaker. These features linked to an increase in subscribers.
1999	April	IDO and CELLULAR Group launch Mobile Internet Connection Service EZweb. C201H
2000	January	The nine companies of the DDI Pocket Telephone Group merge.
2000	July	IDO and CELLULAR Group launch "au," a uniform nationwide mobile communications brand.

As of November, 2024

2000	October	DDI CORPORATION, KDD Corporation and IDO CORPORATION merge and form a new company. The trade name of the new entity is DDI CORPORATION, and it operates under the new KDDI corporate brand. KDDI is born (October 2, 2000, KDDI Building)
2000	November	The seven companies of the CELLULAR Group merge to launch au CORPORATION.
2001	April	Corporate name is changed to KDDI CORPORATION.
	May	MYLINE carrier selection service is launched.
	October	au COPORATION is merged with KDDI CORPORATION.
	October	Regional telecommunications companies TTNet, Osaka Media Port (OMP), and Chubu Telecommunications Co. (CTC) spin off their business data telecommunications services to launch POWERDCOM, Inc.
2002	March	GPS mobile is released as the first mobile phone equipped with an "electric compass." Equipping mobile phones with a compass enabled a screen display that acts just like a car navigation displayer to make the map rotate automatically so the direction of movement is always oriented to the top of the screen when displaying a map while on the move. C3003P
	April	Third-generation (3G) mobile phone service (CDMA2000 1x) is launched. Previous cdmaOne models had a maximum transmission speed of only 64 kbps. The CDMA2000 1x increased the maximum speed to up to 144 kbps.
	December	"Chaku-uta®" music download service is launched. This was the world's first service allowing users to download the original CD sound source to their mobile phone and set it as the ring tone.
2003	April	TTNet and POWEREDCOM merge under the POWERDCOM name.
	October	KDDI Hikari Plus (now au Hikari), a suite of optical fiber-based services, is launched. This enabled usage of the internet, phone, and TV all with one optic fiber.
	October	"EZ NaviWalk" navigation service for pedestrians is launched.
	November	CDMA 1X WIN, an enhanced 3G mobile phone service based on CDMA2000 1xEV-DO technology, is launched. This introduced the first packet fixed rate system for mobile phones (called "EZ Flat" at the time, and currently known as "Double-Teigaku").
	November	Sales of "INFOBAR," the first model from the au design project, begin. In order to create mobile phones with features based on completely new ideas crafted in an environment that encourages freedom in concept creation, KDDI launched the au design project in 2001. In collaboration with product designer Naoto Fukasawa, the first phase of this project saw the creation of a completely new kind of mobile phone: INFOBAR. This led to au's new mobile product brand "iida" in April 2009. INFOBAR
2004	October	DDI Pocket Telephone business is transferred to the Carlyle Group and Kyocera.
2004	November	"Chaku-uta Full®" is launched.
2005	February	The high-quality IP telephone service "KDDI Metal Plus" is launched. The direct access model IP phone service: "KDDI Metal Plus." This new high-quality phone service enables an inexpensive basic fee and calling fee. Also, subscribers can use an internet connection service.
	October	TU-KA Cellular Tokyo Inc., TU-KA Cellular Tokai Inc., and TU-KA Phone Kansai Inc. are merged.
	October	Agreement reached on comprehensive cooperation on communications business with the Tokyo Electric Power Co. Group.
	December	Sales of the world's first 1seg-compatible mobile phone begin. A quality TV service only available with a mobile phone that combines TV broadcast viewing and a communications function also incorporated "1seg" compatibility. In addition to providing clear video and audio, this model lets users enjoy receiving data broadcasts that contain a variety of information about TV programs. W33SA
2006	January	KDDI merges with POWEREDCOM.
	January	The comprehensive music service "LISMO" is launched. The communication industry's first comprehensive music service "au LISTEN MOBILE SERVICE" (abbreviation: LISMO) allows users to seamlessly connect au mobile phones and computers. 2008 saw the startup of "LISMO Video," a service that allows users to watch whole movies and TV dramas with high video and audio quality anytime, anyplace on both au mobile phones and computers. The mascot character "LISMO" also became extremely popular. W41S
	March	Shares of JAPAN CABLENET HOLDINGS and JPAN CABLENET (JCN) are acquired.
	May	Mobile Net Bank Establishment Investigation Corp. (Now au Jibun Bank) is established.
	June	"HIKARI-one" integrated FTTH services is launched.
	October	Mobile number portability (MNP) is launched.
	December	"EV-DO Rev.A," an upgraded version of "CDMA2000 1xEV-DO" is adopted. This upgrade actualized the fastest transmission speed in Japan, with a maximum uplink speed of 1.8 Mbps and downlink speed of 3.1 Mbps. Most important, it reduced the stress of uploading items like email with images. W47T
2007	January	FTTH business integrates with Tokyo Electric Power Co.
	June	JCN Group becomes a KDDI consolidated subsidiary.
	September	The "au one" integrated portal for mobile phones and computers is launched.
2008	January	"au Smart Sports Run&Walk" service startup A new service that seamlessly links au mobile phones and computers to provide users with a new way of enjoying sports Sportio
	March	TU-KA service ends.
	March	Converted Wireless Broadband Planning Inc. to an operating company, setting the stage to launch UQ Communications Inc.
	April	CTC shares are purchased, and it becomes a consolidated subsidiary.
	July	"Jibun Bank (Now au Jibun Bank)," the mobile network bank jointly established with the Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, begins service.
	August	"au Collective Talk," which provides free domestic calling between au mobile phones and KDDI fixed telephones, is launched.
	October	HIKARI-one Home "Giga Value Plan" with speeds up to 1 Gbps is launched.
2009	February	UQ Communications begins the UQ WiMAX broadband communication service using mobile WiMAX technology.
	April	The new au mobile phone brand "iida" is announced.
	July	UQ Communications launches UQ WiMAX commercial service.
2010	February	Capital participation in Jupiter Telecommunications Co., Ltd. (J:COM) (now JCOM Co., Ltd.).
2010	July	Planning company for delivery of electronic books (now booklista) established with Sony, Toppan Printing, and The Asahi Shimbun Co.
2011	February	KDDI Matomete Office Corporation is established.
	May	au Insurance, mobile phone based general insurance established jointly by KDDI and Aioi Nissay Dowa Insurance, begins service.
	October	Sales of "iPhone 4S" (made by Apple Inc.) begin.
2012	January	au brand logo is reinvented.
	March	"au Smart Value" and "au Smart Pass" are launched.
	September	Sales of "iPhone 5" (made by Apple Inc.) begin.
	September	"au 4G LTE," the next-generation LTE standard for high-speed communication, is launched.
2013	April	"KDDI Matomete Office" is launched nationwide.
	September	Sales of "iPhone 5s/5c" (made by Apple Inc.) begin.
	December	"au Smart Value mine" is launched.
2014	March	Achieved an actual population coverage ratio of 99% for "platinum band" 800MHz "4G LTE"
	April	Management merger between J:COM and JCN
	May	"au WALLET" service is launched.
	May	Sales of smartphones cable of both "LTE-Advanced (CA)" and "WiMAX 2+" begin.
	July	Entered into agreement and commenced joint business with Myanma Posts and Telecommunications (MPT).
	August	The new au "the Unlimited Voice & Data Freedom rate plan" is launched.
	August	Establishes the KDDI VALUE ENABLER CORPORATION
	September	"iPhone 6" and "iPhone 6 Plus" (made by Apple Inc.) begin.
	October	Begins issuing the "au WALLET Credit Card"
	December	"au VoLTE," a next-generation voice call service, is launched.
2015	August	"au WALLET Market" service is launched.
2016	April	"au Denki" electricity supply service is launched.
	April	"au Insurance & Loans" financial service is launched.
	August	"au STAR" membership program is launched.
2017	January	Acquired BIGLOBE Inc.
	July	New rate plans "au Pitatto Plan" and "au Flat Plan" are launched. "au HOME" IoT service for households is launched.
	August	SORACOM, INC. becomes a consolidated subsidiary.
2018	January	AEON Holdings Corporation of Japan becomes a consolidated subsidiary. IoT communication service "KDDI IoT Connect LPWA" is launched.
2018	September	"KDDI DIGITAL GATE," a digital business development site, has opened in Tokyo (Toranomon).
2019	February	Midway bank holding company "au Financial Holdings Corporation" is established. Initiated the SmartMoney concept.
	April	Smartphone payment service "au PAY" is launched.
	May	Renewed the brand slogan "KDDI: Tomorrow, Together," "au: Explore the extraordinary."
	July	"au Data MAX Plan," the first unlimited data plan in Japan, is launched.
2020	March	"au 5G", Fifth-Generation Mobile Communication Service, was launched.
	May	au Point service was integrated into the common point service"Ponta".
	October	UQ Communications Inc.'s "UQ mobile" business was integrated.
2021	March	Online-only brand "povo" was launched. Multi-brand strategy was reinforced.
2021	November	Service monitoring system using Operations Automation function was implemented in both Tokyo and Osaka.
2022	January	Drone business company "KDDI SmartDrone Inc." was established.
	March	3G mobile phone service "CDMA 1X WIN" was terminated.
	April	Intermediate holding company "au Energy Holdings Corporation" was established.
	May	Intermediate holding company "KDDI Digital Divergence Holdings Corporation" was established.
	May	"KDDI VISION 2030" was formulated.
	December	Operation of au base stations using "Starlink" satellite broadband internet was launched.
2023	March	Metaverse and Web3 service "αU" was launched.
2023	September	"au Mane-Katsu Plan," the first telecommunications and financial benefits set in the mobile industry, was launched.
2024	February	Mitsubishi Corporation, KDDI, and Lawson, Inc. concluded a capital and business partnership agreement.
	February	"KDDI BUSINESS" expanded as the corporate business brand covering both Japan and abroad.
	March	ELYZA, Inc. and KDDI Group concluded a capital and business partnership for the social implementation of generative AI.
	May	The business platform "WAKONX (WAKON-CROSS)" for corporate customers was launched.
	May	The space co-creation program "MUGENLABO UNIVERSE" was launched.

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