LIVE FROM THE GSMA MOBILE ASIA CONGRESS 2011: Japanese number two operator KDDI is focusing on a mixture of technologies as part of the development of its wireless network, according to GM Masaaki Koga.

Ahead of his appearance at Mobile Asia Congress on Thursday, Koga told the Show Daily that a range of technologies will play a role in the future of its networks, with implementation of LTE, WiMAX, Wi-Fi and FTTH planned. Although CDMA2000 and CATV will also play a role, Koga said they “won’t be big.”

In June, it was confirmed Samsung would supply LTE equipment to KDDI as part of plans to launch commercial services by 2012. Samsung and KDDI started working together on CDMA provision in 2002 and Samsung has provided WiMAX equipment to KDDI affiliate UQ Communications.

KDDI was reported in July to be planning to deploy 100,000 Wi-Fi hotspots, allowing smartphone users to connect seamlessly to data services while offloading traffic from its mobile network.

Koga said that it’s difficult to balance price pressure with network investment, with LTE proving to be particularly costly when compared to WiMAX and Wi-Fi. “The important point to decrease investment costs is to take advantage of WiMAX and WiFi,” he said.

However, Koga said the operator doesn’t currently have sufficient spectrum to meet customer demand for services, which include value-added services such as over-the-top content and e-payment services. He added that when voice services migrate from circuit switch to VoIP, new services will be expected.