Ericsson enables SoftBank to deliver superior indoor connectivity

2017-04-21

• SoftBank to deploy Ericsson Radio Dot System in Japan, targeting medium to large buildings over the next two years
• Ericsson Radio Dot System will deliver superior indoor connectivity in high-density urban areas including Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya
• SoftBank identified Radio Dot System as its indoor solution of choice after vigorous testing and verification

Following extensive verification and testing, SoftBank Corp., a subsidiary of SoftBank Group Corp. (TOKYO: 9984), ("SoftBank") has decided to deploy the Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERIC) Radio Dot System across Japan to deliver premium indoor connectivity to its subscribers.

SoftBank began extensive testing of the Radio Dot System and several other indoor solutions in Japan in June 2015 to evaluate its options for meeting the huge demand for better indoor coverage in mid-sized to large buildings.

The Ericsson Radio Dot System proved its ability to enable high-performance voice and data coverage and capacity in a broad range of enterprise buildings and public venues, and will now be deployed for SoftBank later this year. Mass rollout will start in the densest urban areas in Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya, addressing buildings such as office towers, shopping malls, and train stations.

Hideyuki Tsukuda, Senior Vice President, SoftBank Corp., says:

"We are always interested in adopting the latest technologies to ensure our subscribers receive the best possible network service. After evaluating a number of options, we concluded that the Ericsson Radio Dot System was the most cost-efficient solution for large buildings. Its deployment in crowded urban indoor environments will enable us to meet user expectations for a consistently high quality of network coverage."

Mikael Eriksson, President of Ericsson Japan, says:

"The Radio Dot System is the industry's most cost-effective and modular high-performance indoor radio system, capable of addressing the widest range of indoor environments. We're confident that its deployment in Japan will ensure SoftBank subscribers benefit from the best possible indoor coverage."

According to the Ericsson Mobility Report 2016, cellular data traffic is expected to increase by a factor of nine by 2020. This dramatic growth places a unique demand on mobile network operators to provide the necessary infrastructure and density required to serve the marketplace, especially in the underdeveloped indoor space.

The innovative Ericsson Radio Dot System features an elegant design, both in the product and the network architecture, enabling a simple deployment that is 100% integrated with the outdoor network.