When NTT Docomo launched the “osaifu keitai” service in July of 2004, it revolutionized the way people thought about their mobile phones: using Sony’s contact-less FeliCa technology, these communication devices could now function like e-money cards and train passes. Five years later, exactly who and how many are actually using the service?
According to statistics released by Docomo, about 60% of Docomo users were signed up for osaifu keitai as of the end of May. This translates into about 34,800,000 handsets. That number first hit 10,000,000 in January of 2006, reached 20,000,000 in March of 2007, and passed the 30,000,000 mark this time last year. Take users of all mobile platforms into account (AU, Softbank, and Willcom now all offer osaifu keitai too), however, and the number drops to 26.1%. The highest user rates in general are for men, in their teens through 40s, and women in their 30s.
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