Subways in Tokyo will start offering a new wireless communication service from around March 2012, enabling passengers to exchange text messages and access the Internet in moving trains. The Tokyo metropolitan government and Tokyo Metro will cooperate with a broadband service firm, UQ Communications to install necessary facilities in their entire subway networks. UQ Communications will foot the bill for the installation of the communication system based on WiMAX.
Currently, cell phone networks are accessible for subway users at stations only in Japan. Earlier this year, the Tokyo government and Softbank Corp agreed to provide access to cellphone networks in subway trains by the end of December.