Intent on being Japan's top broadband operator (high-speed web, telephony and interactive TV), Softbank's BBTechnologies has already laid pipe for 85% of the population.

FORBES: Our past picks

Industry observers expect the trend to only continue, as both mobile phones and Web-based telephony continue to increase in popularity.

FORBES: The Young Aren't The Only Ones Going Wireless

Everyone knows traditional landline telephones are becoming less important, what with the rise of both mobile phones as well as free or low-cost Web-based telephony products like Skype.

FORBES: The Young Aren't The Only Ones Going Wireless