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Mobile Communications Segment

Becoming No.1 in mobile Internet

SoftBank Mobile is the core operator of SoftBank's Mobile Communications segment. While offering high-appeal mobile devices such as iPhone, iPad and SoftBank smartphones, and a wide array of content, it is working hard to enhance the network and improve the user experience. SoftBank Mobile will continue to maximize synergies with the SoftBank Group companies and strive to become No.1 in mobile Internet.

Basic information

Main Businesses Mobile communications services
Sales of mobile phone handsets, etc., mobile communications services-related business
Core Company SoftBank Mobile Corp.

Overview

The SoftBank Group has set a target of achieving consolidated operating income of 1 trillion yen in Japan business only in fiscal 2016 and SoftBank Mobile has an important role to play in the achievement of this goal. As part of this strategy, SoftBank Mobile is pursuing initiatives to expand its customer base and create an even more enhanced network.

Expanding customer base

SoftBank Mobile was ahead of other Japanese mobile communications companies in focusing on sales of smartphones and tablets. Customer satisfaction, in particular with iPhone, has been high and sales remain strong. As a result, January 2013 was the fifth consecutive year in which we were No.1 in net subscriber additions*1, and in December 2012 the total number of subscribers surpassed 31 million.

Enhancing the network

Connectivity and speed are seen as two important factors in improving customer satisfaction with the SoftBank Mobile network.

Connectivity

From July 2012, in order to expand the service coverage and to construct a network capable of handling the sharp increase in network traffic while also being more resilient to disasters, SoftBank Mobile started communications services using 900 MHz frequency. Known as the platinum band, this frequency more efficiently offers coverage over a wider range. As of November 29, 2012 there are as many as 350,000 SoftBank Wi-Fi Spot access points throughout Japan, and in order to improve our customers’ user experience we are making every effort to improve signal performance.

Speed

To improve the utilization efficiency of the frequency, SoftBank Mobile is working diligently to realize next-generation high-speed data communication services capable of transmitting large volumes of data.

From February 2012, SoftBank Mobile has been using the AXGP (a communication standard which has high compatibility with TD LTE) network built by Wireless City Planning Inc. to offer SoftBank 4G, which boasts the industry's fastest*2 downlink speeds at up to 110 Mbps*3*4.

On September 21, 2012, SoftBank Mobile launched SoftBank 4G LTE, a high-speed data communication service using FDD-LTE, and the lineup of smartphones and tablets compatible with these new services is continuing to grow.

[Notes]
  • *1Number of Subscribers by Carriers, surveyed by the Telecommunications Carriers Association from January 2008 to December 2012 (as of January 10, 2013)
  • *2Among mobile data communication services being offered in Japan as of May 29, 2012, based on published data from other companies and industry standard values
  • *3Communication speed is subject to the service area. Due to best effort delivery, deterioration of speed or disconnection may occur depending on network conditions or communication environments.
  • *4Communication speed is subject to the specification of devices
  • Apple and the Apple logo are trademarks of Apple Inc.
  • iPhone and iPad are trademarks of Apple Inc.
  • The iPhone trademark is used under license from Aiphone K.K.