SoftBank Corp. (TOKYO: 9434) is aiming to build a “Ubiquitous Network” that combines ground-based terrestrial networks and non-terrestrial network (NTN) solutions, including satellite- and stratospheric HAPS-based platforms, to seamlessly connect everyone and everything, even in remote locations.
In December 2024, SoftBank will mark a major milestone for its Ubiquitous Network initiative when it launches Eutelsat Group’s OneWeb low earth orbit (LEO) satellite connectivity services. Based on its partnership with Eutelsat Group, SoftBank will offer eight different service plans with high communication speeds and low latency under the “Eutelsat OneWeb” name to businesses, government agencies and local governments in Japan.
By optimizing capacity within Eutelsat Group’s OneWeb satellite communication infrastructure, bandwidth- and communication speed-guaranteed plans will be offered. Plans with best-effort type communication services, with downlink communication speeds of up to 195Mbps and uplink speeds of up to 32Mbps, will also be provided. For additional security, Eutelsat OneWeb customers will be able to interconnect with SoftBank’s “SmartVPN” closed network service.
Marking a first for a Japan-based telecommunications carrier, on July 2, 2024, SoftBank acquired a blanket license for specific radio stations – including Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) earth stations and mobile earth stations – from Japan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications’ (MIC). Furthermore, on August 6, 2024, Eutelsat OneWeb obtained a gateway station license from MIC.
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Eutelsat OneWeb earth station antenna
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Eutelsat OneWeb foldable flat-panel antenna
Service enables communications in maritime and mountainous areas
With the Eutelsat OneWeb service, enterprise customers will be able to use high-quality, highly secure satellite communications services in maritime and mountainous areas, where connectivity is difficult to provide with ground-based mobile networks. Potential applications include the remote control and monitoring of construction machinery, video transmission and remote operations using consistent communication speeds with guaranteed bandwidth, and the provisioning of secure communication lines when disasters occur.
Commenting on the service launch announcement, Masakatsu Kawahara, Head of the Communication Service Division at SoftBank’s Enterprise Unit, said, “Eutelsat OneWeb will help SoftBank promote digital transformation for businesses and local governments in Japan. The service will herald a new era in secure, ubiquitous connectivity services.”
To achieve worldwide Internet connectivity, SoftBank is promoting the deployment of NTN solutions from outer space and the stratosphere in Japan, and globally. Learn more here.
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(Posted on September 3, 2024)
by SoftBank News Editors
