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Public WLAN allows ISPs to poach customers in Japan

After a successful trial with WiFi wireless LAN technology in major railways stations in Japan, the experiment is being opened up to subscribers of other Internet service providers.

The experiment, according to AsiaBizTech.com, was set up by the East Japan Railway (JR East) and Japan Telecom. Only 50 people use the service right now, because it was restricted until it could be tested.

"Because of the complex authentication system and other security reasons, the trial service was until now offered only to the subscribers of 'ODN' Internet connection service by Japan Telecom (about 1.9 million subscribers) and those of 'JENS SpinNet' by JENS Corp., the subsidiary of Japan Telecom (about 100,000 subscribers)," the site reports.

On a small scale, both companies have decided, the system works well, and it's time to increase the number of users. Three new ISPs are joining - "hi-ho" by Matsushita will sign up today (April 10) and Dream Train Internet and "@nifty" by will sign up within a month.