DDI Corp. applied to the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications for approval of its international telephone rates Thursday, aiming to start international service on Oct. 22.
The country's second-largest telecommunications carrier plans to offer international service to 235 destinations in cooperation with KDD Co., Teleglobe Service Japan, Inc. and Cable & Wireless Japan Ltd.
The carrier's international rates for a three-minute daytime call are set about 30 percent less than those offered by the existing carriers, Akira Hioki, president of DDI Corp., said.
For example, a three-minute daytime call to the United States, excluding Hawaii, costs 240, 47 yen percent less than that offered by KDD.
DDI Corp. plans to earn 2.5 billion yen in sales during the current business year, which ends in March 1999, Hioki said.
Customers will be able to use the carrier's international service by dialing 0078 before a country code. Users who want to use the international service from cellular phones and personal handy phones are required to register with the carrier in advance.