Softbank Mobile – Isuraeru

February 17, 2009

Softbank Received LTE Trial License

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Softbank Mobile will start LTE trial in Mito City (Ibaraki Perfecture). Trial license is from Feb. 17 to Dec. 31 2009.

This is the first LTE field trial in Japan, and an important step for LTE internationally. It is not reported which vendors participate in the trial.

February 9, 2009

Israeli Siano powers Softbank Mobile's iPhone OneSEG

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Published in Israeli The Marker [HE]: Israeli Start-Up Siano ‘s chip SMS1130 is powering Softabank Mobile’s 1seg (Japanese：ワンセグ) iPhone adapter.

This iPhone adapter is both a 1seg (ISDB-T) TV Tuner and a battery pack, on sale for 9,840 ¥.

Apple iPhone’s lacked this important feature, which is now a standard in most Japanese cellular phones. About 100$ is a bit expensive in my opinion, but I am not watching TV anyway.

February 5, 2009

UQ Communications MVNOs

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UQ Communications business model has always been about MVNOs.

As UQ WiMAX trial beginns and deployment details start to unfold, MVNOs start to line-up.

@nifty – one of the leading Japanese ISPs, announced today [JP] their plan to use UQ WiMAX network to provide data services to their customers.
Softbank Mobile – Did not commit to the MVNO plan, but it is being considered [JP]. According to the news report, Softbank Mobile are waiting for UQ trial results before they can make a decision.