Japan-based telecom service provider KDDI will provide mobile services in the US as a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO).

To this end, it will rent a wireless communications network in the country from Sprint Nextel. The company will conduct its US operations under the KDDI Mobile brand, becoming the first Japanese company to offer mobile phone services overseas under its own brand. The company, which is mainly targeting Japanese nationals living in the US, will offer services that are similar to its "au" mobile phone services in Japan. In March, the company launched prepaid mobile services for its Japanese visitors in the US for a short period of time.