How is the Platinum Band progressing?
SoftBank Mobile has established specified base stations in each region which use the Platinum Band (900MHz band) and is progressively expanding coverage. The specified base station plan calls for the establishment of approximately 16,000 base stations in fiscal 2012 and this number will increase to approximately 41,000 within fiscal 2016. We are planning on 99.9% population coverage and work is progressing ahead of plan.
What is the status of SoftBank Mobile's next-generation high-speed communication SoftBank 4G LTE service?
SoftBank Mobile began offering SoftBank 4G LTE following the launch of iPhone 5. SoftBank 4G LTE is compatible with iPad Mini and the 4th generation of iPad and the number of compatible devices is expected to increase. Furthermore, SoftBank 4G LTE compatible devices are expected to be also available on eAccess' 1.7GHz frequency band from spring, 2013 (tentative), providing customers with smoother communication over a wider area.
When will new models of SoftBank mobile phone be announced?
It depends on each financial year. For your reference, it was May and November that new models were announced in fiscal 2010. The press conference for new models for fiscal 2011 was held in September. It for fiscal 2012 was held in May and October.
Please refer to the site below for the press conference for new models.
What is SoftBank Mobile's smartphone rollout plan?
SoftBank Mobile is not only focusing on iPhone but has also put its efforts into expanding its lineup of Android™ smartphones. Of the nine new devices scheduled to launch in winter/spring 2012/2013, six are smartphones and five of those support Android 4.1. All of these smartphones are compatible with SoftBank's high-speed data communication service, SoftBank 4G, and achieve a maximum downlink speed of 76Mbps*1.
What are SoftBank Corp.'s major activities on renewable energy?
The SoftBank Group believes the energy issue should be tackled by the whole country, and one of the solutions for the energy issue is to promote renewable energy deployment. The Group is making policy proposals and building a business model for power generation based on renewable energy in cooperation with the Renewable Energy Governors' Alliance.
Although there are few examples of this business yet, it is important for the Group to proactively take on challenges of developing the renewable energy business to promote changes in Japan's energy policy, and fulfill its obligations to society.
What specific efforts are being made in renewable energy?
On July 1 2012, SB Energy Corp., the SoftBank Group subsidiary in charge of renewable energy, began commercial operation of photovoltaic (PV) power stations in Kyoto and Shinto-mura in Gunma prefecture. In addition to this, as of October 2012, PV power plant construction projects are underway in 10 locations in Japan including Tokushima and Tottori prefectures, and construction of a wind power plant is progressing at one location. With these plants combined, preparations are underway to reach our goal of generating over 200mw. We plan to use project finance*2 to fund the large-scale power plants.
What is the impact of renewable energy business on business performance?
We believe that creating the framework for the renewable energy to become one of the pillars of energy source is very important to revitalize the renewable energy market in Japan. The renewable energy business which the SoftBank Group is working on is a one of the steps to create such opportunity. Size of the investment in the renewable energy business is expected to be less than 1% of consolidated assets and impacts on our consolidated financial statements will be minor.
Does Mr. Son really post on Twitter or Facebook by himself?
Yes, he started tweeting from December 24, 2009, using an account name of @masason. He opened his facebook page on March 29, 2012 and posting by himself.
Are “Let's do it” tweets by @masason actually happening?
The SoftBank Group pays careful attention to the opinions and requests expressed by customers on Twitter. In cases where action is deemed necessary, the director in charge of that area takes responsibility and acts quickly to address the matter. In addition, since March 2010 SoftBank has started showing lists of progress on customer requests, with corresponding Twitter posts by the representative of the SoftBank Group, Masayoshi Son such as, “Let's do it” or “Let's consider it”. Please refer to the site below for more details.
What is an official account of social media for SoftBank Corp.?
SoftBank Corp. has official accounts for Twitter, Facebook, Ustream and YouTube™.
Please refer to the link below for official accounts of social media for major SoftBank Group companies.
I would like to know more about the SoftBank Group-backed “New Broadband Super Highway (Hikari-no-ichi)”.
“New Broadband Super Highway (Hikari-no-michi)” concept is a new growth strategy by the Government to significantly change economy and social system of Japan by installing optical broadband network throughout the country.
Japan's new growth strategy was announced on June 18, 2010, and New Broadband Super Highway concept was considered as a key to revitalize Japan.
On August 31, 2010, an outline of New Broadband Super Highway strategy was announced which aims to accelerate development and utilization of infrastructure, and make broadband service available in every household by the year 2015.
Please refer to the site below for more details.
Why does the SoftBank Group support New Broadband Super Highway?
The SoftBank Group believes that the realization of New Broadband Super Highway is the key to revitalize the international competitiveness of Japan as an IT nation.
Japan has been developed by promoting various kinds of infrastructure such as electricity, gas, water, telecommunication, railway, and so on. This infrastructure was built by people with a great vision for the future of Japan, and it became a base for the prosperity of Japan today.
Living in the 21st century, what kind of infrastructure can we hand down to the future generation? The answer is New Broadband Super Highway, optical fiber network which enables super high speed and large volume data communication. The SoftBank Group believes New Broadband Super Highway will bring a dramatic change in all kinds of industries, culture and life, and create a totally new lifestyle for the 21st century.
It is important to realize this New Broadband Super Highway now for the growth of Japan. If not now, Japan loses its competitiveness while other countries keep on growing. The SoftBank Group supports New Broadband Super Highway concept for the better future of Japan as a Japanese company, and as an Internet company who aims for the Information Revolution. We hope more and more Japanese people understand the discussion on New Broadband Super Highway which is necessary for the future of Japan, and express opinions.
What are the Group's telecommunications companies' initiatives for disaster?
The three telecommunications companies of the SoftBank Group, SoftBank Mobile Corp., SoftBank BB Corp. and SoftBank Telecom Corp., recognize that interruption of service due to disaster or accident is a major risk, and are pursuing measures to minimize that risk. With a view to maintaining communication services in a disaster or accident, they are also developing the organizational structures and building close relations with government agencies, while always working to improve safety and reliability of network.
Please refer to the link below for more details.
What kind of CSR activity does the SoftBank Group do?
The SoftBank Group strives to meet the expectations of the public through business activities that contribute to society based on the concept of Information Revolution - Happiness for everyone as stated in the corporate philosophy of the Group. The SoftBank Group fulfills its social responsibility as an Internet company with regard to making people smile and creating a happy society through the Internet, which nobody except SoftBank can realize.
What has been the impact of the In-house Paperless Declaration?
The SoftBank Group announced the In-house Paperless Declaration in April, 2012, and began efforts to reduce the use of paper in the office to zero. For the business meetings and internal discussions, our 20,000 employees do not use paper materials in principle, but utilize iPhone and iPad provided by the company. Through this initiative, operation has been streamlined, costs have been reduced, and productivity has also increased.
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