AST SpaceMobile, which has a Japanese partner with Rakuten Mobile, will have competition in terms of Direct-To-Consumer connectivity. The threat comes from a joint venture between wireless telecom provider NTT Docomo and financial powerhouse Softbank. NTT Docomo and SoftBank are preparing to launch direct satellite communication services for smartphones in 2026, leveraging the Starlink satellite network […]

To help bridge the digital divide and provide emergency communications during disasters, Japanese investment company SoftBank Corp has been actively conducting research and development for its High Altitude Platform Station (HAPS) stratospheric telecommunications business since 2017 as a global pioneer in the field. In 2026, SoftBank plans to launch pre-commercial HAPS services in Japan in […]

Japan has four cellular network operators with three of them controlling some 80 per cent of the market. Rakuten, currently Number 4 in the hierarchy with about 3 per cent market share, is looking to grow its ‘Direct-to-Consumer’ satellite connectivity share thanks to AST SpaceMobile. NTT Docomo, the largest player, does not – as yet […]

The build–up to IBC has influenced Eutelsat [and SES] to announce new business. The satellite provider has signed an partnership agreement with Japan’s SoftBank Corp. Eutelsat’s deal with SoftBank will offer low latency, secure connectivity for businesses and government agencies throughout Japan, and sees Eutelsat enter the Japanese market for the first time. The agreement […]

Graphcore, the UK artificial intelligence (AI) chip firm, has been acquired by SoftBank Group. Under the deal, Graphcore becomes a wholly owned subsidiary of the Japanese conglomerate and will continue to operate under the Graphcore name. “This is a tremendous endorsement of our team and their ability to build truly transformative AI technologies at scale, […]

A High-Altitude Platform Station (HAPS) – a very high-flying solar-powered unmanned aircraft – has wrapped a demo stratosphere flight delivering 5G connectivity over Rwanda. The exercise was backed by Japanese media conglomerate SoftBank. The aircraft delivered two-way 5G connections for 73 minutes from a height of almost 17 kms. The test included a ZOoom video […]

SoftBank and OneWeb have signed a Distribution Partnership Agreement to deliver satellite communication services across Japan. SoftBank and OneWeb will promote the delivery and upgrade of satellite communication services. OneWeb’s LEO satellite-based services will provide fast communication services with low latency, as LEO satellites are located close to the earth. By integrating with SoftBank’s closed […]

HAPS (High Altitude Platform Station), sometimes in the shape of a giant balloon or – as in this case – a high-flying unmanned aircraft system (UAS) has caught the eye of Japan’s SoftBank. The objective is to use a HAPS vehicle or balloon to serve broadband to a very wide region below. On October 1st […]

Chinese tech conglomerate Alibaba Group is to split into six separate units. Each of the new divisions will have its own executive team, CEO and board of directors. The Holding company reported revenues of $134 billion (€123.4bn) in 2022. SoftBank Group is a 23.9 per cent shareholder. The entertainment division will contain its film studio, […]