au (mobile phone company)

au is a Japanese mobile phone operator and brand owned by KDDI Corporation. It is one of the three major mobile carriers in Japan, alongside NTT Docomo and SoftBank.

The name "au" is derived from the Japanese words "au" (会う), meaning "to meet," and "connect." The brand aims to emphasize connection and communication.

au provides a wide range of mobile services, including voice calls, data communication, and messaging. They also offer various value-added services such as mobile payment systems (au PAY), content distribution, and entertainment platforms. au offers both 4G LTE and 5G services.

KDDI originally launched its mobile phone service under the name "IDO" in 1988, before rebranding to "au" in 2000. Since its inception, au has been known for its advanced technology and innovative services. The company often collaborates with device manufacturers to release exclusive and cutting-edge handsets tailored to the Japanese market.

au maintains a strong focus on customer service and offers a variety of support channels, including retail stores, online assistance, and call centers. It competes fiercely with other Japanese carriers in terms of pricing, data allowances, and service offerings.