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.”
Apr.: The Osaka Securities Exchange merged Jasdaq Securities Exchange, Inc; Shares listed on JASDAQ Standard, the Osaka Securities Exchange.

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.