Scott Jarkoff's Blog - Latest Comments in Incoming Calls to Yokota Residents Still a Problem

Re: Incoming Calls to Yokota Residents Still a Problem

InTheKnow — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 09:50:32 -0000

Sorry, have not been back here for ages.

Let's just say that the group company is the sole provider of iPhones here in Japan and also has a very large ISP and IP TV service...

The economics of installing fiber all over the base just don't work. Out in town, you hook up a neighbourhood with FTTN or a building with FTTH, there are enough potential customers and costs are low, so you can make money. You will be using existing 'dark fiber' or often existing infrastructure - telephone poles. On the base, the market is limited to a few thousand people, and you have to dig up the whole base. If you do it properly, as AAFES originally asked for in their solicitation, you can never make money.

The fact that the service on Yokota is kind of half-assed is basically because they are doing the best job they can while still trying to turn a profit.

Re: Incoming Calls to Yokota Residents Still a Problem

jark — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 18:15:05 -0000

Who is the we in "We would not have made money on the project, ever" I wonder?

Re: Incoming Calls to Yokota Residents Still a Problem

InTheKnow — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 11:05:35 -0000

It was impossible to meet the requirements AAFES had and make money, simple as that. The largest broadband provider in Japan was also preparing a bid, but the requirement to offer US-based phone numbers (legality is dubious), prime US video content (hugely expensive) and install fiber all over the base made it a non-starter. We would not have made money on the project, ever...