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Japan gets cheap web access
NTT came under fire for its high charges
Japan's NTT is set to halve the cost of connecting to the internet.
The telecoms giant is to cut the cost from 8,000 yen ($73) from as early as May.
For some users, the charge will drop as low as 2000 yen.
The move is expected to spark an internet boom, which could help propel the economy out of its long recession.
NTT under fire
NTT president, Junichiro Miyazu, said the decision was in response to criticism over its high rates.
The company's hand was forced by the emergence of start-up companies offering cheaper and faster internet services to subscribers using asymmetric digital subscriber lines (ADSL).
The telecoms giant is to cut the cost from 8,000 yen ($73) from as early as May.
For some users, the charge will drop as low as 2000 yen.
The move is expected to spark an internet boom, which could help propel the economy out of its long recession.
NTT under fire
NTT president, Junichiro Miyazu, said the decision was in response to criticism over its high rates.
The company's hand was forced by the emergence of start-up companies offering cheaper and faster internet services to subscribers using asymmetric digital subscriber lines (ADSL).
 Prime Minister Obuchi calls for lower internet charges
|
Last week, Japanese Prime Minister
Keizo Obuchi called for lower
access fees and said they were the key to the country's information technology revolution.
The company's move has been welcomed by analysts. Some say the growth of the internet could help bring Japan out of recession.
"This is a positive development, and it is the first step for Japan to catch up with the United States," said Hiromi Abe, internet analyst at Morgan Stanley Dean Witter.
Japan internet boom
Already about a quarter of the Japanese population use the net.
Industry estimates are that in 1999 there were between 17 and 22 million internet users in Japan.
But for internet usage to really take off in Japan, more needs to happen, observers say.
Already, there are signs that the Japanese are equipping themselves for the information age.
PC shipments in Japan hit a record 9.22 million in 1999, with new sales growing by one third.
Internet service providers are also growing.
The number of ISPs in Japan is approaching 4,000 and expected to peak soon.
The company's move has been welcomed by analysts. Some say the growth of the internet could help bring Japan out of recession.
"This is a positive development, and it is the first step for Japan to catch up with the United States," said Hiromi Abe, internet analyst at Morgan Stanley Dean Witter.
Japan internet boom
Already about a quarter of the Japanese population use the net.
Industry estimates are that in 1999 there were between 17 and 22 million internet users in Japan.
But for internet usage to really take off in Japan, more needs to happen, observers say.
Already, there are signs that the Japanese are equipping themselves for the information age.
PC shipments in Japan hit a record 9.22 million in 1999, with new sales growing by one third.
Internet service providers are also growing.
The number of ISPs in Japan is approaching 4,000 and expected to peak soon.
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