Hotspots in Tokyo
NTTCommunications has a hotspot business in Japan for what appears to be 1600 yen a month (around $13). Many great cafes and restaurants are already up and running, including the famous Almond Cafe in Roppongi (for sneaking in that critical email in between Gas Panics). Both 802.11a and b are supported in many of the venues.
If I understand the pricing right, NTTCommunications is only charging around half of what Starbucks and T-Mobile are offering in the US. Is there more volume already in Japan that supports lower rates, or perhaps is NTTCommunications willing to take more of a risk? I wonder if someone in Japan can comment on the pervasiveness of 802.11 there.
