SoftBank Corp. (TOKYO: 9434) is promoting a “Ubiquitous Transformation (UTX),” which aims to create a world where people can stay connected anytime and anywhere by combining terrestrial mobile networks with non-terrestrial networks (NTN) such as High Altitude Platform Station (HAPS), as well as Geosynchronous Earth Orbit (GEO) and Low Earth Orbit (LEO) communication satellites. Under its vision for UTX, SoftBank is seeking to overcome current communication barriers, such as disruptions during disasters and disparities in network deployments, and bring innovation to people and businesses around the world.
In the final part of a four-part series of interviews with people behind SoftBank’s UTX initiative, we spoke with Atsuhisa Ono, a project leader overseeing efforts in satellite-based communications. Ono talked about the current status of SoftBank's multiple satellite communications solutions, and how they are able to deliver optimal connectivity for a wide range of use cases, and his future outlook.
Atsuhisa Ono
Director, Head of Satellite Planning Department
Ubiquitous Network Planning Division
Product Technology Division, Technology Unit
SoftBank Corp.
Delivering high-speed, low-latency connectivity with satellite-based solutions
While 4G network population coverage has reached nearly 100% in Japan, when taking land area into account, coverage remains at about 60%. To cover the remaining 40% of Japan’s landmass, as well as ships at sea, drones in the sky, and increasingly diverse and advanced use cases, communication networks with high availability and resilience are needed more than ever. To build such networks, terrestrial mobile networks alone are not enough—satellite communications play a critical role in extending coverage.
By leveraging the distinct strengths of GEO and LEO satellites, delivering the optimal degree of connectivity tailored to specific applications becomes possible. SoftBank is working with multiple satellite operators to realize a “Ubiquitous Network” where people are always connected.
What satellite communication solutions does SoftBank currently offer?
Ono: We currently offer two enterprise-grade LEO satellite communication services: Starlink Business and Eutelsat OneWeb. Both provide high-speed, low-latency connectivity that can meet the diverse needs of our customers.
How are Starlink Business and Eutelsat OneWeb different?
Ono: Both services use LEO satellites, but each has their own distinct advantages. Starlink Business operates at an altitude of around 550 km, with more than 7,000 satellites in service. It offers high-speed, low-latency, and cost-efficient broadband connectivity on a best-effort basis, making it ideal for business continuity planning (BCP) measures, temporary connectivity at construction sites, or maritime communications.
Eutelsat OneWeb, on the other hand, operates at an altitude of about 1,200 km with 654 satellites providing global coverage. It specializes in guaranteed bandwidth and closed network connections, making it suitable for use cases that require security and stability.
Starlink Business is offered by other telecommunications providers in Japan. How is it that SoftBank is providing Eutelsat OneWeb exclusively?
Ono: That’s correct—other telecommunications providers offer Starlink Business. However, for Eutelsat OneWeb, SoftBank signed a distribution partnership in September 2023, making SoftBank the only major carrier in Japan to offer it. This is a significant competitive advantage for us.
copyright Eutelsat
Could you share some examples of Eutelsat OneWeb in action?
Ono: Eutelsat OneWeb is ideal for highly confidential communications, such as secure networks for municipal government systems. Additionally, Eutelsat OneWeb has been licensed for terrestrial mobility in Japan, and we’ve conducted demonstration projects leveraging this strength.
For instance, during the Mynavi Tour de Kyushu 2025 cycling road race, video transmission in mountainous areas—where terrestrial networks typically can’t reach—is a challenge. By using Eutelsat OneWeb, we can provide stable transmission even in previously unreachable parts, significantly expanding our network coverage area. This will demonstrate Eutelsat OneWeb’s strengths for mobile and large-scale event connectivity.
How is SoftBank using satellite communication networks internally?
Ono: We actively use satellite communications within the company as well. In normal times, they serve as backhaul for base stations, helping us extend coverage and improve network stability. In times of disasters, we deploy portable satellite antennas and mobile base stations equipped with satellite connectivity to quickly restore communications.
In the past, we relied on GEO satellites, but their latency and limited bandwidth meant slower speeds. That’s why we introduced LEO satellites such as Starlink, which provide high-speed, low-latency connectivity with compact terminals.
For example, during the 2024 Noto Peninsula earthquake, we used Starlink to provide Wi-Fi at evacuation centers and temporary sites, while also using it as backhaul for restoring mobile base stations. We even combined it with compact radios to deliver mobile voice and data services to evacuation shelters.
We’ve further developed this solution into a corporate service called “BizCell,” which enables the rapid and low-cost deployment of small-scale base station networks. With BizCell, it’s possible to build 4G/5G-ready communication environments, even in areas where radio waves cannot reach, such as construction sites, factories, mountainous regions, and inside tunnels.
What are the advantages of offering different satellite communication solutions?
Ono: SoftBank is aiming to build a three-dimensional communication network by combining terrestrial mobile networks with LEO satellites, GEO satellites, and HAPS. Our intention is to offer services using multiple LEO satellite constellations rather than relying on just one, and we may also utilize Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) satellites in the future.
The background to this is our experience of having actual services become unsustainable due to unexpected failures. What we learned from such incidents is that by having multiple means of communication, we can build in redundancy that allows service to continue even in the event of failures or unforeseen circumstances. As a service provider, we believe it is extremely important to have a variety of solutions in place to safeguard the stability of our customers’ businesses and communications. In that sense, we believe there’s great significance in not relying on a single solution and providing multiple ones instead.
Toward a world without “no service” areas
You’re already offering satellite communications services, but have there been any recent technological advances related to SoftBank’s UTX vision?
Ono: Traditionally, terrestrial networks and non-terrestrial networks (NTN, such as satellites and HAPS) evolved separately with distinct standards and ecosystems. However, from the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Release 17 onward, specifications have been introduced to incorporate 5G into NTN. 3GPP is the international standardization body that defines mobile communications, from 3G through 5G and eventually 6G. Most of today’s telecom services are based on its specifications.
So standardization is progressing toward the seamless integration of terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks?
Ono: Yes, our ultimate vision for a Ubiquitous Network is one where users remain connected to the best available network—whether on the ground or in the sky—through a single device and contract, without the need for any special operations.
Currently, however, separate terminals are often needed for terrestrial and satellite connections. 3GPP Release 17 and beyond are addressing this by extending 5G radio access technologies to satellites and HAPS. As terminal and chipset convergence progresses, seamless handovers will become possible.
When that happens, users will no longer need to think about “no service” areas. A single device will keep them connected everywhere. This is a crucial step toward realizing SoftBank’s Ubiquitous Network vision and will form the foundation for the society of the future.
What are your future ambitions with satellite-based communications?
Ono: Today, we’re in the midst of what could be called a “satellite boom,” with many companies entering the market. Rather than relying on a single provider, however, it’s important to carefully evaluate each one’s respective strengths. If new technologies can contribute to our business, we’ll aim to bring them to market proactively. We won’t be satisfied with the status quo—we’ll continue to investigate and partner with the best players to keep evolving.
By creating a communication network that ensures people stay connected anytime, anywhere, SoftBank is aiming to make once-unimaginable lifestyles a reality. By driving a Ubiquitous Transformation, SoftBank is working to create new value for society.
SoftBank’s UTX
This was the final part of a 4-part series of articles on SoftBank’s Ubiquitous Transformation (UTX) initiative. Previous articles can be found here.
(Posted on October 10, 2025)
by SoftBank News Editors
The world SoftBank is aiming to create with UTX
SoftBank is aiming to create a world where connectivity is available anytime and anywhere by integrating terrestrial mobile networks with non-terrestrial networks, which utilize satellites and stratospheric communication platforms.
