December 2010 Vol. 8 No. 12

View from the Top

• Akira Arima, President and Chief Executive Officer, NTT Communications

  

  Responding Quickly to a Fast-changing Market with Extensive and Compelling Services

  Overview
  Faced with a decline in network revenues, NTT Communications is proposing new technologies and business formats. We talked with Akira Arima, newly appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of NTT Communications, about what the company needs to do to continue its role as a valued firm in a market undergoing a radical transformation.

Front-line Researchers

• Takehiro Moriya, NTT Fellow, NTT Communication Science Laboratories

  

  Pursuing Research While Being Somewhat Stolid to Outside Trends

  Overview
  As a world-renowned researcher in high-quality audio signal processing and coding, NTT Fellow Takehiro Moriya of the NTT Communication Science Laboratories is devoted to the international standardization of technologies in this field. We asked him about the significance of his research, his past research experiences, and his future goals, and what he would like to say to today’s young researchers.

Special Feature: Disaster Prevention and Management Solutions for Better Comprehensive Disaster Resilience

• ICT Utilization and R&D Initiatives Contributing to Better Comprehensive Disaster Resilience

  

  Abstract
  In this article, we introduce the current status of information and communications technology (ICT) usage and NTT research and development (R&D) initiatives toward better comprehensive disaster-resilience capabilities, which are very important for society. Disaster resilience covers disaster prevention measures for preventing avoidable incidents and disaster response and management measures for reducing or preventing damage when a disaster or emergency occurs and recovery capabilities for reducing the time required for restoration.

• Realtime Disaster Response Using Satellites and Positioning Information

  

  Abstract
  We aim to develop an effective disaster response solution using satellites and positioning information. It will provide users with context-sensitive action menus according to their location and situation by sending messages from satellites to GPS (global positioning system) receiver terminals such as cell phones and car navigation systems during disasters. Application experiments based on industry-government-academia collaboration using the first quasi-zenith satellite, which was launched in September 2010, are planned. We also aim at international expansion of the results.

Global Standardization Activities

• Standardization Trend of the Communications Field in China

  

  Abstract
  China is boosting innovation of independent technology in accordance with the “State Mid- and Long-term Scientific and Technological Development Plan Outline” issued by the State Council of The People’s Republic of China. All industrial fields are carrying out standardization work according to this goal of independent technology innovation: in the field of communications, the China Communications Standardization Association (CCSA) is responsible for standardization as the sole communications standardization organization. This article describes the latest trend of standardization in the Chinese communications industry, including the structure of the Chinese standards system.

NTT around the World

• DOCOMO Europe

  

  Japanese-language Mobile Phone (berry mobile) and Support Services for People Living in the UK

  Abstract
  Through its main office in London, DOCOMO Europe strives to make mobile phones even more convenient for its customers living in the UK through a Japanese-language mobile phone service (berry mobile). It also aims to improve customer service through its London support desk. This article introduces various services provided by DOCOMO Europe and outlines the company’s ISO-related activities.

Practical Field Information about Telecommunication Technologies

• Coatings for Protecting Telecommunication Steel Towers

  

  Abstract
  This article describes coatings for protecting telecommunication steel towers. It is the second in a new bimonthly series on the theme of practical field information about telecommunication technologies. This month’s contribution is from the Materials Engineering Group, Technical Assistance and Support Center, Maintenance and Service Operations Department, Network Business Headquarters.

External Awards/Papers Published in Technical Journals and Conference Proceedings

• External Awards/Papers Published in Technical Journals and Conference Proceedings