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Tokyo, Japan – June 9, 2025 – Proximus Global, a leading international communications enabler, today announced the launch of fixed-number portability in Japan, a significant milestone that will empower businesses and individuals with greater flexibility in their communication services. This launch comes after the Japanese Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) released its “Guidelines for the Implementation of Number Portability for Fixed-line Telephone Numbers (Draft)” in January 2025, a new framework that has streamlined the portability process, making it feasible for Proximus Global to offer this essential feature to its customers.
Proximus Global first entered the Japanese market with its PSTN replacement service back in 2022, providing modern, IP-based telephony solutions as the nation progressed towards the retirement of its legacy Public Switched Telephone Network infrastructure. However, at that time, the complexities associated with fixed-number portability made it challenging to integrate this option seamlessly for customers. The updated guidelines from the MIC, formulated after extensive consultation with market players, have effectively removed these hurdles, paving the way for Proximus Global to enhance its offerings.
The ability to retain existing fixed-line telephone numbers when switching service providers is not merely a convenience; it is a critical enabler for various advanced communication services, particularly for CCaaS, UCaaS, and CPaaS providers.
Japan’s fixed telephony market, while undergoing a transformation towards IP-based services, remains substantial. Fixed communication services revenue in Japan reached $25 billion in 2024, with projections for moderate growth in the coming years. While fixed voice services are seeing a decline in traditional circuit-switched subscriptions, there is a steady growth in packet-switched (VoIP) subscriptions. This indicates a clear shift towards modern communication solutions where services like Proximus Global’s PSTN replacement and now, fixed-number portability, are increasingly vital. The overall telecom services market in Japan is estimated at USD 123.64 billion in 2025, highlighting the immense opportunity for providers offering comprehensive and flexible communication solutions.
Proximus Global’s launch of fixed-number portability in Japan marks a significant step in supporting the nation’s digital transformation and empowering businesses with the seamless, flexible, and robust communication infrastructure they need to thrive in a rapidly evolving market.