NTT Com Wins Best Carrier Asia-Pacific and Best Technology Foresight
At Fourth World Communication Awards in London

Dr. Tomita and Mr. Inoue receive an award
 Dr. Tomita, Mr. Inoue and NTT Europe staff


NTT Communications (NTT Com) was honored as Best Carrier Asia-Pacific and for Best Technology Foresight at the fourth annual World Communication Awards (WCA) in London on September 30. The event was attended by 520 telecom executives from around the world, including CEOs of a number of leading global players.

NTT Com is the first carrier from Japan and only the second from Asia to earn an award from the WCA. Moreover, it is the first winner of the Best Carrier Asia-Pacific award, which debuted at this year's event.

Judges highly evaluated the company's proactive development of its advanced global network and IP services, as well as being Asia's first carrier to launch MPLS IP-VPN and commercial IPv6 services. The independent panel of 12 judges cited NTT Com's "formidable local knowledge and cutting-edge technology" as contributing greatly to their choice.

NTT Com carried off the Best Technology Foresight award for its pioneering work in the field of global IPv6. The judges commented: "They have showed incredible foresight and significant leadership in creation, standardization and realization. It will undoubtedly have a profound impact."

Dr. Shuji Tomita, senior executive vice-president of NTT Com, attended the awards announcement along with colleagues including Osamu Inoue, managing director of NTT Europe.

Dr. Tomita later remarked: "We were delighted to win two awards at this year's WCA, because we rate the organizers, EMAP and ECTA, very highly. When I heard that we had been nominated for Best Carrier Asia-Pacific and Best Technology Foresight, I was keen to attend the ceremony. I ended up flying in on the day of the event from Tokyo and, although it turned out to be a long day, the excitement of winning both awards for which we had been nominated was more than enough to keep me awake! Colleagues and my own personal experience tell me that the WCA team conducted themselves with the utmost professionalism and we all enjoyed the event a great deal. We are already looking forward to WCA 2003."

NTTE's Inoue added: "We are delighted that NTT Communications' contribution to the global telecommunications market has been recognized tonight. We are very pleased to be awarded for Best Carrier Asia Pacific and to have our cutting-edge IPv6 technology judged as demonstrating Best Technology Foresight."

The WCA presentation is one of the most respected events of its kind in the global communications industry. It is organized by EMAP plc, a leading London-based media company, and the European Competitive Telecommunications Association (ECTA), the main pan-European trade association serving the telecommunications industry.

The WCA recognize outstanding achievements in the global telecommunications industry, attracting entries from leading carriers and vendors worldwide. This year's event attracted a record 180 entries in 16 categories.