Softbank teams with Ericsson for LTE network in Japan

Japanese operator Softbank Mobile has selected Ericsson to build its LTE network. Ericsson will upgrade, expand and perform systems integration of Softbank's existing packet core network to evolved packet core, for its largest LTE contract in Japan.

Dawinderpal Sahota

April 17, 2012

1 Min Read
Softbank teams with Ericsson for LTE network in Japan
Ericsson is building Softbank's LTE network in Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya

Japanese operator Softbank Mobile has selected Ericsson to build its LTE network. The Swedish vendor will also upgrade, expand and perform systems integration of Softbank’s existing packet core network as part of its largest LTE contract in Japan.

The LTE network will cover Japan’s three major cities: Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya, which account for 70 per cent of the country’s total data and voice traffic, according to Ericsson.

“During 2012, many new smartphones, notebooks and tablets with LTE capabilities will be launched in Japan,” said Jan Signell, president of Ericsson Japan. “This will lead to a strong increase in consumer demand for higher data speeds and throughput – a demand that Softbank Mobile will be able to meet thanks to the state-of-the-art LTE network that we will rapidly deploy.

Ericsson also revealed that that it has now signed 45 LTE evolved packet core contracts in 23 countries on five continents.The firm expects to hold 25 per cent of all “essential patents” related to LTE, pending patent approval, which would make it the technology’s largest single patent holder.

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