#Japan #Tokyo #OpenRoaming #NTT East

NTT East and Tokyo's Landmark Wi-Fi Initiative

On August 27, 2025, NTT East Corporation, led by President Naoki Shibuya, and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, under the leadership of Governor Yuriko Koike, established a fundamental agreement to promote and enhance OpenRoaming-compatible Wi-Fi through public telephone booths. This initiative is a response to the increasing frequency and severity of natural disasters due to climate change, emphasizing the necessity for a reliable communication environment both during regular times and emergencies.

Background and Objectives

In recent years, disasters have become more frequent and severe, necessitating a secure and convenient communication network, especially in times of crisis. Tokyo aims to create a more connected city through a vision dubbed 'Connected Tokyo.' This plan seeks to use digital technology to enhance daily life and ensure that everyone has internet access no matter the circumstance. The Tokyo government is expanding the implementation of public Wi-Fi compliant with international standards known as OpenRoaming across the city, responding to both disaster management and increasing inbound tourism needs.

NTT East has been a longstanding provider of telecommunications infrastructure, significantly aiding the local community. The public telephone booths scattered throughout the city have historically played a critical role during emergencies, and their transformation into Wi-Fi hotspots aims to ensure that all citizens can access the internet seamlessly.

Collaboration Details

The partnership outlines various collaborative efforts, including:
1. Utilizing public telephone booths to establish Wi-Fi networks in approximately 1,500 locations, particularly around major train stations and parks, over three years.
2. Promoting the expansion of OpenRoaming-compatible Wi-Fi networks city-wide through awareness campaigns.
3. Leveraging NTT East's Disaster Prevention Research Institute to enhance the resilience of communications in the face of disasters.

Agreement Date

The pivotal agreement was finalized on Wednesday, August 27, 2025.

Future Directions

Under this partnership, efforts will commence this fiscal year, focusing on OpenRoaming-compliant Wi-Fi access points near major stations on the Yamanote Line and in island communities. The initiative plans to install Wi-Fi access points in about 1,500 telephone booths over the next three years, including backup power sources to ensure accessibility during power outages, thus enhancing disaster response capabilities. NTT East is devoted to working under the Tokyo government's vision of a 'connected Tokyo' to establish an environment where everyone can access the internet freely and conveniently.

Comments from Agreement Signatories

• - Governor Yuriko Koike, Tokyo: "We have signed an agreement with NTT East to enhance public Wi-Fi via telephone booths, which will play a vital role during disasters and enhance accessibility for inbound tourists. Starting from major stations on the Yamanote Line and certain island areas, we aim to increase the scale of Wi-Fi access points to approximately 3,600, which is three times the current offerings. Our goal is to provide a safe and convenient Wi-Fi experience, identifiable by a green sticker, for all to use during emergencies and daily life."

• - President Naoki Shibuya, NTT East: "With this agreement, we will utilize our public telephone booths to enhance Wi-Fi infrastructure throughout Tokyo. These booths have been essential for emergency communications, and this new initiative will allow us to maintain a reliable network both during normal times and emergencies. The newly created Wi-Fi hotspots will support OpenRoaming, providing a comfortable communication experience. Our Disaster Prevention Research Institute will spearhead the commitment to create a disaster-resilient community, strengthening our collaboration with the Tokyo government."

This groundbreaking partnership not only aims to enhance connectivity but also addresses the pressing need for communication resilience in disaster scenarios, paving the way for a more secure and user-friendly urban environment.