History
Okinawa’s total communications provider, born in 1991 and raised by the voices of the people.
The Okinawa Discussion Group, established in October 1990 as a vehicle for businessmen of Okinawa and mainland Japan to work together for development of Okinawa, announced its intention to establish a portable phone company. Funded by DDI and other major firms, Okinawa Cellular was established on June 1, 1991, to provide portable and car phone services in the Okinawa region.
| 1992 |
Mar.: Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications issues Telecommunications Business License Apr.: Main office location changes (Kumoji, Naha City, Okinawa Prefecture) Jul.: Cellular Phone Service Contract Bylaws approved by Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications Oct.: Mobile Car Phone TACS (Analog) service starts |
|---|---|
| 1994 |
Apr.: Buyout system offered for portable phone units |
| 1995 |
Jul.: Main office location changes (Kumoji, Naha City, Okinawa Prefecture) |
| 1996 |
Nov.: PDC (digital) system service starts |
| 1997 |
Apr.: Corporate stock registered at Securities Dealers Association of Japan |
| 1998 |
Jul.: Start of CDMA service |
| 1999 |
May.: Start of “ez web” Internet & e-mail service Nov.: Start of Cell Pre-Phone (prepaid) service |
| 2000 |
Jan.: Start of packet communications service Apr.: Start of international roaming service, “GLOBAL PASSPORT” Jun.: Application for 3rd generation mobile telephone system (IMT-2000) approved by Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications Jul.: Start of 3rd generation mobile telephone service with the brand “au” Sep.: Service end of TACS (analogue) service |
| 2002 |
Apr.: Start of “CDMA2000 1x” service Nov.: Main office location changes (Kumoji, Naha City, Okinawa Prefecture) |
| 2003 |
Mar.: Service end of PDC (digital) service Nov.: Start of CDMA 1X WIN service |
| 2004 | Dec.: Shop registration cancelled with Japan Securities Dealers Association; Shares listed on Jasdaq Securities Exchange |
| 2006 |
Oct.: Start of Mobile Number Portability service Dec.: “EV-DO Rev.A,” an upgraded version of “CDMA2000 1xEV-DO” is adopted. |
| 2007 | Nov.: Launched the “au Purchase Program,” which allows customers to select their preferred method of purchasing an au mobile phone. |
| 2008 |
Nov.: Nanjo Network Center opened |
| 2009 |
Nov.: Launched “eTOKU,” a mobile-phone based mail marketing system aimed at distributors and retailers. |
| 2010 |
Jan.: Acquired Okinawa Telecommunication Network Co., Inc., through the purchase of new shares allocated to a third party. Mar.: Launched a high-speed Internet and telephone service using optical fiber cables, “au HIKARI Chura.” |
| 2013 |
Jul.: Shares listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange JASDAQ (Standard) in line with the integration of the cash markets of the Osaka Securities Exchange and the Tokyo Stock Exchange Aug.: Main office moved to current location (Matsuyama, Naha City, Okinawa Prefecture) |
| 2014 | Sep.: Subsidiary Okinawa Value Enabler Co., Ltd. is established (formerly UQ mobile Okinawa Corporation) |
| 2016 |
Mar.: Tomigusuku Network Center opened Aug: Okinawa Value Enabler Co., Ltd. changes trade name to UQ mobile Okinawa Corporation |
| 2017 | Sep.: Okinawa Cellular Agri & Marche Corporation established through new company split |
| 2019 | Nov.: Launched au Denki, the au electricity service |
| 2020 |
Apr.: Start of Okinawa-Kyushu submarine cable operations Oct.: Absorption-type merger of UQ mobile Okinawa Corporation |
| 2021 |
Feb.: Renewal of brand slogan: Our Mind, Timeless Our Challenge, Timeless Jun.: 30th anniversary of establishment Nov.: Completion of Okinawa Cellular Forest Building |
| 2022 |
Apl.: Due to the review of market classification by the Tokyo Stock Exchange, the Tokyo Stock Exchange JASDAQ (Standard) will transition to the Standard Market. Jul.: Okinawa Communication Network Co., Ltd. changes its company name to OTNet |
| 2023 |
Jul.: The operation of the submarine optical cable connecting Okinawa Main Island, Ishigaki Island, Miyako Island, and Kume Island has commenced. Nov.: Through a third-party allocation of new shares, MC Okinawa Co., Ltd. has been made a subsidiary and renamed Okinawa Cellular Mirai Create Co., Ltd. |
| 2024 |
Apl.: Okinawa Cellular has obtained WELL Platinum certification. |
