Chiba Prefecture’s Maihama area—about a 15 minute train ride from Tokyo Station—is a destination that transports visitors into magical worlds to create unforgettable experiences. Connectivity has become an essential part of that experience, enabling the sharing of special moments on social media and app usage to make the most of visits.
The Maihama area also presents unique challenges for mobile network operators. Tens of thousands of people congregate within a certain space each day, and visitor traffic can fluctuate dramatically depending on the time of day.
How does SoftBank Corp. (TOKYO: 9434) provide stable communications to visitors amid data traffic patterns greatly different from those found in typical urban environments, while also preserving the area’s unique atmosphere? SoftBank News spoke with the engineers working behind the scenes about how they are increasing base stations and implementing the latest network solutions—including the full deployment of 5G Standalone (5G SA) services—in the area.
Kyohei Kojima
Capital Area Network Technology Department
Technology Unit, SoftBank Corp.
Rintaro Tanabe
Kanto Network Promotion Department
Technology Unit, SoftBank Corp.
Visitors expect seamless connectivity in a special place
What makes network measures in the Maihama area particularly challenging?
Kojima: The defining characteristic of the Maihama area is the sheer number of people it attracts. In terms of data traffic, it ranks among the largest in the Kanto region and is one of the busiest areas nationwide.
While areas like Shinjuku and Shibuya also see enormous crowds, people there are constantly on the move. In Maihama, however, tens of thousands of visitors stay in the same area for extended periods of time, which makes network congestion much more likely.
Tanabe: Another major factor is how smartphone usage has evolved in recent years. Compared with just a few years ago, network traffic has multiplied several times over.
Services such as app-based ticket management, wait-time tracking and mobile orders have become commonplace, making connectivity quality key to the visitor experience. People now expect reliable connectivity even when they move through queues that extend from outdoor areas into indoor facilities.
How have you addressed increases in network traffic?
Tanabe: Over the past two years, we’ve increased the number of base stations, both indoors and outdoors, by roughly four to five times.
The catalyst was the growing number of customers telling us they were having difficulty connecting in the area, particularly as services like mobile ordering became more widespread. We invested an unprecedented level of resources to improve our network in Maihama.
5G SA has also been deployed extensively in the area, hasn’t it?
Kojima: By the end of 2025, we completed the deployment of 5G SA across the area's key locations. Unlike conventional networks that rely on a combination of 4G and 5G infrastructure, 5G SA operates solely on dedicated 5G equipment.
As a result, responsiveness has improved dramatically, even in highly congested environments. Apps load faster, and this significantly reduces the frustration users often experience during congested periods.
Tanabe: Our goal wasn’t simply to make 5G SA available in isolated locations. We wanted visitors to have a consistently comfortable experience as they moved throughout the area.
By implementing tailored measures at attractions, restaurants, queue areas and other high-traffic locations, we created an environment where it’s easier to access apps and display digital tickets wherever visitors may be.
Balancing Immersion with Connectivity
Was preserving the area's atmosphere also an important consideration?
Kojima: Absolutely. The biggest challenge in Maihama is not intruding on the area's atmosphere, which was meticulously designed.
Normally, base stations are installed in locations where radio signals can travel efficiently, such as on the rooftops of tall buildings. In the Maihama area, however, visible antennas are simply not an option. Even a brief glimpse of a conventional antenna from the top of a popular attraction could disrupt an immersive experience.
That’s why we take extraordinary measures when installing equipment. For example, radio units can be concealed within rooftop structures, and we intentionally position antennas behind walls or architectural features so they remain completely out of sight.
Tanabe: Of course, hiding antennas behind walls or lowering their position makes it more difficult for radiowave signals to propagate effectively.
To overcome this challenge, SoftBank uses a highly sophisticated network design and deploys base stations at a much higher density than in ordinary areas. By layering coverage from multiple surrounding base stations, we create seamless connectivity while eliminating blind spots.
Helping to make memories from behind the scenes
What are your future plans to improve connectivity at Maihama?
Kojima: Until now, we focused primarily on strengthening outdoor coverage across the area. Going forward, we plan to further enhance connectivity at entrances where visitors congregate, as well as inside facilities where mobile ordering services are heavily used.
Tanabe: We’ll continue to migrate existing 4G base stations to 5G to further improve the user experience delivered by 5G SA.
Our goal is to set the stage for SoftBank customers so they can use their apps smoothly, no matter how crowded the area gets. Behind the scenes, we’ll continue to help our customers create memories in ways they may never see, but can always rely on.
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(Posted on August 17, 2026)
by SoftBank News Editors
