Softbank BB and Yahoo Japan Expand Wireless LAN Coverage with Global Partners

Softbank BB Corp. and Yahoo Japan Corp. have formed a partnership with four international companies to enhance their wireless LAN service, offering users access to over 10,000 base stations in approximately 40 countries starting in July. This expansion will allow users to connect to the internet at restaurants, airports, and shopping centers, as well as in major cities across the globe. The partnership aims to boost the companies' presence in Japan, with plans to increase the number of base stations in the country to 5,000 by the end of the fiscal year.

Key Takeaways:

• Softbank BB and Yahoo Japan will partner with Boingo Wireless Inc., iPass Inc., GoRemote Internet Communications Inc., and T-Systems International GmbH to offer roaming access to over 10,000 base stations in 40 countries.
• The partnership will enable users to connect to wireless internet in countries such as Singapore and Australia for a fee of 42 yen per minute.
• The two companies plan to increase the number of base stations in Japan from 640 to 5,000 by the end of the fiscal year, surpassing Nippon Telegraph & Telephone West Corp. and NTT Communications Corp.
• The transmission speed at the base stations will be increased to enable users to download data at a maximum of 54mbps, or 45mbps at some locations.
• The Yahoo BB Mobile service will support data download speeds of up to 54mbps, compared to the current maximum of 11mbps.

Statistics:

• 10,000 base stations in approximately 40 countries will be available for users to access.
• The number of base stations in Japan will increase to 5,000 by the end of the fiscal year.
• Nippon Telegraph & Telephone West Corp. currently has 1,500 base stations, while NTT Communications Corp. has 1,000.
• The partnership aims to provide international coverage, including in countries such as Singapore and Australia.

Sources:

• The Nihon Keizai Shimbun
• Nikkei