Is GITEKI enough to deploy a cellular module on Japanese networks?

No. GITEKI attests radio compliance with MIC (Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, Soumusho), assessed by an RCB such as TELEC. To attach to a commercial cellular network in Japan, each operator (NTT DoCoMo, KDDI au, SoftBank, Rakuten Mobile) imposes its own acceptance covering the deployed bands, IMS profiles, handover behaviour and eUICC. GITEKI is necessary but not sufficient.

Who are the four Japanese national cellular operators?

NTT DoCoMo (part of the NTT group, historically the largest subscriber base), KDDI under the commercial brand au, SoftBank (which inherits the former Vodafone Japan footprint), and Rakuten Mobile, commercially launched in 2020 as the fourth national operator with a fully virtualised Open RAN. The first three are incumbents with 2G/3G heritage; Rakuten is a greenfield 4G/5G operator.

Which Japanese bands diverge from the global 3GPP plan?

The 800 MHz NTT DoCoMo (Band 19) and 800 MHz KDDI (Band 18) are Japan-specific allocations that do not coincide with North-American Band 5 nor European Band 20. n28 700 MHz is used by the three incumbents for 5G low-band coverage. n79 4.5 GHz is deployed in Japan, unlike mainland China. The mmWave band n257 (28 GHz) is allocated but remains niche.

Does the NTT DoCoMo MOAP programme cover a module for other operators?

No. MOAP (Module Open Acceptance Program) is specific to NTT DoCoMo and its DoCoMo IoT Connect platform. A MOAP-accepted module is not automatically valid on KDDI au, SoftBank or Rakuten Mobile. Each operator runs its own acceptance, with its own bands, protocol profiles and eUICC rules. Many cellular modules sold for Japan are pre-certified with one or two operators, rarely all four.

Is 5G SA deployed everywhere in Japan in 2026?

No. 5G NR is deployed by all four operators, but the split between 5G NSA (non-standalone, with 4G anchor) and 5G SA (standalone) varies by operator and area. Rakuten Mobile has announced an SA-native architecture, while NTT DoCoMo, KDDI au and SoftBank operate NSA and migrate to SA progressively. Assuming SA is available everywhere is a hypothesis to verify per operator, per band and per region.

What is the role of JATE compared with operator acceptance?

JATE (Japan Approvals Institute for Telecommunications Equipment) is the legacy RCB for wireline equipment connected to the public telephone network (DSL, PSTN, leased lines). For a pure cellular product, JATE has no role: radio goes through TELEC or another radio RCB, and operator acceptance is a separate process. JATE becomes relevant for hybrid products (gateways with a DSL port or leased line).

How do eUICC and RSP integrate with Japanese operator acceptance?

eUICC (embedded UICC) and RSP (Remote SIM Provisioning, GSMA SGP.22 for consumer, SGP.32 for IoT) are supported by all four Japanese operators, but with operator-specific profiles, SM-DP+ servers and activation rules. An eUICC pre-loaded with a foreign operator profile does not connect by default: the Japanese profile must be downloadable from the target operator's SM-DP+ and the device must have passed the corresponding acceptance.

What happens if a module only has acceptance from a single operator?

The module can be sold in Japan with a valid GITEKI, but it will only open data or voice sessions on the network of the operator that accepted it. For domestic multi-operator roaming (common in IoT with multi-IMSI SIMs or multi-profile eUICC), each target operator must have accepted the module. This is why cellular modules sold for the Japanese market are often pre-certified with several operators in parallel, and why the right module choice depends on the operator footprint targeted by the final product.

NTT DoCoMo, KDDI, SoftBank, Rakuten: Japan cellular

Author Hugues Orgitello Last updated 27 May 2026 ~13 min read

Guide · Japanese cellular operators

Deploying a cellular product in Japan requires GITEKI radio certification, issued by an RCB such as TELEC under the authority of MIC (Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, Soumusho), as a precondition. A second layer sits on top: operator acceptance, conducted independently by each of the four national cellular operators. NTT DoCoMo (NTTドコモ), KDDI under the commercial brand au, SoftBank (ソフトバンク) and Rakuten Mobile (楽天モバイル) each run their own acceptance programme for modules and end devices, with their own bands, protocol profiles, eUICC rules and partner laboratories. A GITEKI-only module will not attach to a commercial network unless the target operator has validated the device. This page describes the regulator-versus-operator split, the scope of each operator, Japan-specific cellular bands, eUICC mechanics, and the recurring pitfalls for non-Japanese manufacturers.

Regulator and operator: two layers not to be conflated

In Japan, the split between the regulatory authority and the commercial operators is sharp and shapes the entire schedule of a cellular programme.

MIC (Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, Soumusho) is the regulatory authority. It issues the Radio Law (電波法, Denpa-hou), the band plans, the technical limits and the ministerial ordinances. It accredits Registered Certification Bodies (RCB), led by TELEC (Telecom Engineering Center), to assess radio certification dossiers. The visible mark on the product, GITEKI (technical conformity), is the regulatory marking. That regime is detailed in the TELEC / GITEKI in Japan guide.

Cellular operators are commercial entities licensed by MIC to use spectrum. They acquire spectrum usage rights, deploy their access network (RAN), their core, their IMS, their backbone, and sell services. MIC does not prescribe a terminal acceptance procedure: each operator defines its own programme, in line with its commercial and technical priorities.

The practical stack for a cellular module targeted at Japan is the following:

GITEKI via TELEC or another radio RCB: compliance with MIC ordinances on the bands used, output power, emission masks, emission classes. Without GITEKI, the module is unlawful to sell or use in Japan.
Operator acceptance: validation by the target operator (one, two, three or all four) that the module behaves correctly on its network. Without operator acceptance, the module cannot register or open data/voice sessions on that operator's network, even with valid GITEKI.
eUICC profile and RSP: download of the operator profile through SM-DP+ (Subscription Manager - Data Preparation Plus) per GSMA GSMA SGP.22 for consumer or GSMA SGP.32 for IoT, conditional on prior device acceptance.

See the glossary for definitions of RCB, IMS, NSA, SA, eUICC, SM-DP+.

The four Japanese cellular operators

The Japanese cellular market has consolidated around three large incumbents and one disruptor that arrived in 2020. Each has its own history, band footprint, IoT platform and acceptance logic.

Operator	Commercial brand	Type	Main IoT platform	Specificity
NTT DoCoMo (NTTドコモ)	DoCoMo	Incumbent (NTT group)	DoCoMo IoT Connect, MOAP	Historically the largest subscriber base, MOAP module pre-acceptance programme
KDDI	au	Incumbent	au IoT, KDDI Smart Connect	CDMA heritage, LTE/5G transition, mature industrial IoT
SoftBank	SoftBank (ソフトバンク)	Incumbent (former Vodafone Japan)	SoftBank IoT, Wireless City Planning	Vodafone heritage, WCP for lower bands
Rakuten Mobile	Rakuten Mobile (楽天モバイル)	Challenger (since 2020)	Rakuten Communications Platform	Fully virtualised Open RAN, announced 5G SA-native

The first three (NTT DoCoMo, KDDI, SoftBank) are long-standing incumbents with 2G then 3G heritage, large subscriber bases on the low bands (800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1.5 GHz, 1.7 GHz, 2 GHz) and 4G/5G rollouts in mid-band and sub-6. Their acceptance programmes are as old as their networks: well-run, with many pre-certified modules available off the shelf.

Rakuten Mobile is a greenfield operator commercially launched in 2020. It built its access network as a fully virtualised Open RAN, with no 2G or 3G legacy, opting for a cloud-native architecture. Its acceptance logic is more recent and reflects that architecture: compatibility tests are oriented more toward pure 4G LTE and 5G NR SA profiles, without the legacy fallback layers of the incumbents.

NTT DoCoMo: MOAP and DoCoMo IoT Connect

NTT DoCoMo runs the MOAP (Module Open Acceptance Program), a pre-acceptance framework for cellular modules to be integrated into third-party IoT products. A MOAP-accepted module is registered as compatible with the NTT DoCoMo network and can be integrated without re-running the full acceptance suite, subject to the integration respecting the programme's documented constraints (antenna, power supply, usage context). The DoCoMo IoT Connect platform is the associated cellular IoT offer (Cat-M, Cat-1, NB-IoT, 5G NR), with SIM and eUICC management; device acceptance is a prerequisite to onboard.

KDDI (au): au IoT and KDDI Smart Connect

KDDI markets its consumer mobile services under the au brand and its enterprise services under KDDI. Its IoT offer is built around au IoT and KDDI Smart Connect. As an heir to a decommissioned CDMA2000 1x EV-DO network, KDDI retains a strong focus on low bands (Band 18 at 800 MHz, Band 26 encompassing). KDDI acceptance covers the deployed bands (Band 1, 11, 18, 26, 41 LTE; n28, n78, n79 NR), IMS profiles (VoLTE, VoNR), eUICC and inter-band handover.

SoftBank: SoftBank IoT and Wireless City Planning

SoftBank emerged from the Vodafone Japan acquisition in 2006. For some lower bands, it operates through the Wireless City Planning (WCP) subsidiary, which holds dedicated licences notably on the AXGP band (2.5 GHz). Its SoftBank IoT offer covers Cat-M, NB-IoT, LTE-A and 5G NR segments. SoftBank acceptance reviews compatibility with the group's bands (Band 1, 3, 8, 11, 28, 41 LTE; n28, n77, n78 NR), IMS profiles and eUICC rules.

Rakuten Mobile: Open RAN and 5G SA-native

Rakuten Mobile entered commercial operation in 2020 as the fourth national operator, with a distinctive architecture: a fully virtualised RAN in Open RAN, without a dominant traditional vendor, and an announced 5G NR SA-native orientation. Rakuten acceptance therefore tests specific behaviours (handover resilience in vRAN, performance on pure 5G SA), but does not cover the non-existent 2G/3G legacy. A module optimised for 5G SA on Rakuten must also demonstrate its 4G LTE behaviour if incumbents are targeted.

Layered architecture

Compliance stack for a cellular module in Japan:

+-----------------------------------------------+
|  Commercial layer: operator contract,          |
|  SIM or eUICC profile, tariff plan             |
+-----------------------------------------------+
|  Operator acceptance (per target operator):    |
|  - NTT DoCoMo: MOAP, DoCoMo IoT Connect        |
|  - KDDI au:    au IoT, KDDI Smart Connect      |
|  - SoftBank:   SoftBank IoT, WCP (low band)    |
|  - Rakuten:    Rakuten Mobile vRAN, 5G SA      |
|  Deployed bands, IMS, handover, eUICC          |
+-----------------------------------------------+
|  eUICC profile and RSP (GSMA SGP.22 / SGP.32): |
|  operator SM-DP+, profile downloadable         |
|  conditional on device acceptance              |
+-----------------------------------------------+
|  GITEKI radio (TELEC or another radio RCB):    |
|  compliance with MIC ordinances, band plan,    |
|  output power, emission masks                  |
+-----------------------------------------------+
|  Regulatory frame: MIC (Soumusho), Denpa-hou,  |
|  Frequency Allocation Plan                     |
+-----------------------------------------------+

A failure at any layer blocks the layers above. A module without GITEKI cannot be sold, so no operator acceptance starts. A GITEKI module without NTT DoCoMo acceptance fails to attach to the NTT DoCoMo network, even with a NTT DoCoMo SIM inserted.

Japanese cellular bands

The Japanese cellular frequency plan published by MIC allocates specific bands to operators and shows several important deviations from the North-American (FCC) and European (CEPT) plans. The table below summarises the main bands deployed as of 2026.

3GPP band	Frequency (DL)	Main operators	Use and specificity
Band 1 LTE	2110-2170 MHz	NTT DoCoMo, KDDI, SoftBank, Rakuten	Global band, little JP specificity
Band 3 LTE	1805-1880 MHz	NTT DoCoMo, SoftBank, Rakuten	Global band, used extensively by Rakuten
Band 8 LTE	925-960 MHz	SoftBank	Vodafone Japan heritage
Band 11 LTE	1475.9-1495.9 MHz	NTT DoCoMo, KDDI	Japan-specific (PDC-derived), 1.5 GHz
Band 18 LTE	860-875 MHz	KDDI au	Japanese 800 MHz KDDI, distinct from US Band 5 and EU Band 20
Band 19 LTE	875-890 MHz	NTT DoCoMo	Japanese 800 MHz NTT DoCoMo, distinct from Band 18
Band 21 LTE	1495.9-1510.9 MHz	NTT DoCoMo	NTT DoCoMo 1.5 GHz Japan
Band 26 LTE	859-894 MHz	KDDI au	Encompassing Band 18, extended 3GPP nomenclature
Band 28 LTE	758-803 MHz	NTT DoCoMo, KDDI, SoftBank	700 MHz APT, shared with other APT regions
Band 41 LTE	2496-2690 MHz	SoftBank (AXGP via WCP), Rakuten	2.5 GHz TDD
n28 NR	758-803 MHz	NTT DoCoMo, KDDI, SoftBank	700 MHz 5G low-band coverage
n77 NR	3300-4200 MHz	SoftBank, Rakuten	5G sub-6 GHz, shared with n78
n78 NR	3300-3800 MHz	NTT DoCoMo, KDDI, SoftBank, Rakuten	5G mid-band 3.5 GHz, global band
n79 NR	4400-5000 MHz	NTT DoCoMo, KDDI	5G 4.5 GHz, deployed in Japan unlike mainland China
n257 NR	26.5-29.5 GHz	NTT DoCoMo, KDDI, SoftBank, Rakuten	mmWave 28 GHz, niche rollout

Band 18 / Band 19: two 800 MHz bands not to be confused

Band 18 (KDDI au) and Band 19 (NTT DoCoMo) are two distinct Japanese 800 MHz bands which do not coincide with US Band 5 (824-849 MHz UL / 869-894 MHz DL) nor with EU Band 20 (832-862 MHz UL / 791-821 MHz DL). A cellular module designed for the US or EU market on the 800 MHz band is not, without explicit support, compatible with Japanese 800 MHz. This is one of the most frequent causes of poor low-band coverage on Japanese networks. Band 26, defined in 3GPP as encompassing Band 18, is what KDDI typically signals in module firmware for 800 MHz JP coverage.

n79 4.5 GHz, deployed in Japan

The n79 band (4400-5000 MHz, used around 4.5 GHz in Japan) is deployed by NTT DoCoMo and KDDI for their 5G services. This band is not deployed in mainland China, which represents a structural difference between the two main Asian cellular markets. A 5G module targeting both Japan and China simultaneously must support n79 for Japan, but has no commercial use for it in China, or a market-specific module variant is needed.

mmWave n257, niche rollout

The n257 band (28 GHz) is allocated to all four Japanese operators, but rollout remains limited to very high-density areas (major railway stations, events). Designing an IoT product that assumes mmWave is available everywhere in Japan is a hypothesis not to make in 2026: mmWave coverage is marginal compared to sub-6 GHz.

eUICC and RSP in Japan

eUICC (embedded UICC) and RSP (Remote SIM Provisioning) are supported by all four Japanese operators, with their own SM-DP+, activation rules and profiles. Applicable specifications:

GSMA SGP.22 for consumer eUICC (smartphones, watches): pull model, QR code or activation code, per-operator SM-DP+.
GSMA SGP.32 for IoT eUICC (cellular modules without user interface): push model orchestrated by an IoT Profile Assistant (IPA).

Device acceptance is generally a prerequisite for an operator profile to be downloadable: until the module identifiers (EID, IMEI, attached certifications) are recognised, the SM-DP+ refuses the download. For a multi-operator IoT product, each target operator must have accepted the device and profiles must be downloadable through eUICC. A physical multi-IMSI SIM is the historical alternative, increasingly displaced by eUICC.

Module-level pre-acceptance

Most cellular modules sold for the Japanese market (Cat-M / Cat-1 / Cat-4 / Cat-6 / 5G NR modules from major Asian and European vendors) are pre-certified with one or more Japanese operators. The module datasheet explicitly declares supported operators, with phrasing such as:

"Pre-certified NTT DoCoMo" (with or without reference to the MOAP programme),
"Pre-certified KDDI au",
"Pre-certified SoftBank",
"Pre-certified Rakuten Mobile".

A non pre-certified module can technically undergo operator acceptance through the integrating manufacturer, but cost and lead time are prohibitive outside volumes that justify the investment. The practical rule is to select the module against the operator footprint targeted by the final product and to prefer modules already pre-certified with the relevant operators.

See PTCRB for the analogue logic on the North-American side, where PTCRB Type Approval plays a similar cross-operator pre-validation role, complemented by individual AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile acceptance.

JATE and hybrid products

JATE (Japan Approvals Institute for Telecommunications Equipment) is a long-standing Japanese RCB specialising in wireline equipment connected to the public telephone network (PSTN, DSL, leased lines, certain VoIP gateways). For a pure cellular product, JATE has no role: cellular radio goes through TELEC or another radio RCB, and operator acceptance is a separate process.

JATE becomes relevant again for hybrid products, for example:

a gateway combining a 4G/5G cellular modem and a DSL port,
a payment terminal with cellular fallback and a PSTN line,
an industrial device with both wireline and cellular backhaul.

For such products, wireline compliance is carried by JATE in parallel with radio compliance by TELEC. See TELEC / GITEKI in Japan for the detailed scope of Japanese radio RCBs.

A typical operator acceptance programme

Typical sequence for a manufacturer approaching Japan with a cellular module or product:

Commercial scoping: identify the target operator(s) based on the final product's market.
Module selection: prefer a module already pre-certified with the target operators. Explicitly verify support for critical bands (Band 18, 19, 28, n28, n78, n79 depending on targeted operators).
GITEKI via TELEC or another radio RCB: run the MIC radio certification, per the regime detailed in TELEC / GITEKI in Japan. Without GITEKI, no operator acceptance can start.
Operator engagement(s): open the acceptance file with each target operator (technical characteristics, GITEKI number, test reports, embedded module certifications, PTCRB where relevant).
Operator test campaign: each operator runs its own tests (or via partner lab) on radio behaviour, network attach, inter-band handover, IMS (VoLTE, VoNR), eUICC handling and integration with operator-specific services.
Question handling and issuance: iterative cycles, then device added to the list of compatible terminals. For NTT DoCoMo, registration can be formalised through MOAP.
eUICC provisioning: operator profiles become downloadable through the SM-DP+ for accepted devices; commercial logistics (EID, activation, supervision) kicks in.
Maintenance: any hardware change (module, RF chain, antenna) or major modem firmware change can trigger partial or full re-acceptance.

For the global multi-market schedule, see the certification timeline.

Frequent pitfalls for non-Japanese manufacturers

Assuming GITEKI is enough to attach to the network

The most frequent scoping error. GITEKI attests radio compliance with MIC, which authorises sale and use of the device. It does not mean operators will accept network attach. A GITEKI-only device without NTT DoCoMo acceptance fails authentication on the NTT DoCoMo network, even with a NTT DoCoMo SIM inserted.

Forgetting bands 18, 19 and 26 for Japanese 800 MHz

A module designed for the US or EU market on 800 MHz typically covers Band 5 (US) or Band 20 (EU), neither used in Japan. Japanese 800 MHz uses Band 18 (KDDI au) and Band 19 (NTT DoCoMo), with Band 26 as the 3GPP encompassing definition for KDDI. Without explicit support, low-band coverage in Japan is non-existent: a recurring cause of Japanese IoT products limited to mid-band, with disappointing indoor performance.

Confusing Band 18 and Band 19

Band 18 is KDDI, Band 19 is NTT DoCoMo. The two are not interchangeable: UL and DL sub-bands differ. For a product targeting both KDDI and NTT DoCoMo in low band, the module must support Band 18 and Band 19, or Band 26 (encompassing 18) plus Band 19.

Assuming MOAP covers all four operators

MOAP is specific to NTT DoCoMo. A MOAP pre-accepted module is not pre-accepted by KDDI, SoftBank or Rakuten. Each operator runs its own programme, list and criteria. The module datasheet must declare each supported operator explicitly.

Universal 5G SA assumption for Rakuten or incumbents

Rakuten Mobile has announced a 5G SA-native architecture, but SA coverage is not universal across Japan as of 2026. NTT DoCoMo, KDDI and SoftBank operate NSA and migrate to SA progressively by area and band. A product depending on SA everywhere is a hypothesis to verify per operator, band and region. Robust 4G LTE fallback remains essential.

eUICC and acceptance mismatch

eUICC does not bypass operator acceptance. On a device not accepted by an operator, the SM-DP+ refuses to download that operator's profile. Subscribing a device on several operators means acceptance from each and coordination with their respective SM-DP+.

Neglecting operator-specific IMS profiles (VoLTE, VoNR)

Japanese IMS profiles may differ from US or EU profiles on voice codecs and emergency services (110, 119, 118). A device without the target IMS profile may be accepted data-only, with no VoLTE and no emergency calls, which excludes some use cases.

Confusing operator acceptance with PTCRB

PTCRB is North-American. It enables cross-operator test reuse among US operators but has no direct equivalent in Japan: each operator runs its acceptance independently. See PTCRB for the North-American regime.

Underestimating the overall schedule

A multi-operator programme in Japan must be planned over several months, in parallel where possible but with re-test dependencies if a shared band reveals an issue.