SoftBank Corp. Working to Restore Communications in Quake-hit Noto Peninsula with Drone System and Other Means

On January 1, 2024, a magnitude 7.6 earthquake struck the Noto Peninsula in Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan. The earthquake and its aftershocks severely disrupted transportation, power and water supplies and communications. In response, SoftBank Corp. (TOKYO: 9434) has been working to restore communications as quickly as possible and support people in affected areas.

After establishing a disaster response center on January 1, SoftBank set up bases in various locations to conduct restoration work and set up temporary refueling stations. Over 500 employees were mobilized from various locations around Japan, including network engineers to conduct on-site restoration work and technical division employees to provide back-end support to transport supplies, set up portable base stations and refuel portable generators.

SoftBank also dispatched a liaison to the Ishikawa Prefectural Office to facilitate information sharing among local municipalities, relevant government ministries and agencies, and infrastructure operators. SoftBank’s liaison is responsible for confirming restoration area priorities and coordinating closely with Japan’s Self-Defense Forces and other telecommunication carriers.

Restoration activities

Much of the affected areas in the Noto Peninsula are difficult to access by vehicle. Accordingly, SoftBank decided to utilize smaller equipment, such as portable satellite antennas and portable generators. In addition to securing temporary transmission routes through satellite communications, SoftBank is also working to restore the mobile network coverage of existing base stations.

Setting up portable satellite antennas

Refueling generators to power existing base stations

On January 6 SoftBank deployed its “Wired Power Feed Drone Wireless Relay System.” The system can provide temporary wireless connectivity in a radius of a number of kilometers by flying and mooring a drone with a wired power feed above a certain area. More information on how the system works can be found in this article.

SoftBank is coordinating with the relevant agencies in Ishikawa Prefecture in the operation of its Wired Power Feed Drone Wireless Relay System.

SoftBank Corp. Working to Restore Communications in Quake-hit Noto Peninsula with Drone System and Other Means

SoftBank is also working to support those affected by the Noto Peninsula Earthquake through these measures:

Making SoftBank Wi-Fi Spots available free-of-charge
Providing free Wi-Fi and charging at ‘SoftBank’ and ‘Y!mobile’ stores and evacuation centers
Lending out mobile phones and chargers to public institutions in Ishikawa Prefecture
Providing 100 "Starlink Business" equipment kits to public institutions in Ishikawa Prefecture free-of-charge. As of January 10, 30 kits were delivered, and more will be installed in coordination with Japan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications and Ishikawa Prefecture
Offering various support measures for affected customers:
- Mobile phones/smartphones: no charges for additional data purchases, extended payment deadlines, reduced repair costs for damaged products
- Internet/fixed-line phones: extended payment deadlines, reduced monthly basic fees, free replacement of malfunctioning equipment
- Home electricity: extended payment deadlines and reduced fees
Implementing a donation project to support those affected by the Noto Peninsula Earthquake
Supplying “WOTA BOX” to provide temporary showering facilities