Japanese mobile operator SoftBank is part of the SoftBank Group. It says it is "embarking on a new stage of the Information Revolution with a 'Beyond Carrier' strategy" and that it is determined to position itself at the forefront of a society that co-exists with AI. Read more...

Historically associated with using beauty contests to allocate mobile spectrum, Japan took a major step towards staging its first auction in 2022. Read more...

Japanese operator SoftBank is a segment of the SoftBank Group, which describes itself as a "capital provider driving the Information Revolution". It says it has been at the forefront of key technical shifts, from computers to the internet and from broadband to smartphones. Its focus now is on the "next… Read more...

Japan’s policy is to release new spectrum and reorganise existing allocations in anticipation of strong demand in the future from 5G/Beyond 5G, satellite, IoT/Wi-Fi and next generation mobility systems such as V2X. Read more...

Japanese operator SoftBank is part of the SoftBank Group, which describes itself as "a capital provider driving the Information Revolution."  It is strongly focused 5G and 6G. Read more...

The country’s three established operators – NTT Docomo, KDDI and SoftBank – all launched commercial 5G service in March 2020, while newcomer Rakuten Mobile arrived on the scene six months later. Read more...

Japanese operator SoftBank's priorities revolve around creating a "world where all things, information and minds are connected." It remains focused on high-altitude platforms for the Internet of Things and 5G, but is also investing in artificial intelligence (AI), augmented and virtual reality, robots and other cutting-edge technologies. Read more...

High Altitude Platform Stations (HAPS) are currently positioned as a complement to both terrestrial and satellite networks, but will they ultimately compete more directly with traditional operators? For at least one player in the market this will not be the case, as Alphabet’s Loon solar-powered balloons prove to be unviable. Read more...

Japan has a tradition of close cooperation between industry and government in the mobile industry that, while not fractured, is undergoing some creative tension. Read more...

Japanese operator SoftBank was assigned new spectrum in the 3.7 GHz and 28 GHz bands for 5G, and is focused on high-altitude platforms for the Internet of Things and 5G.  The proposed merger of its US segment Sprint with T-Mobile looks set to be approved, while Sprint is deploying 5G… Read more...