SoftBank is a Japanese multinational conglomerate that is expanding its reach into the space industry through Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) solutions. They are working to provide connectivity from space and the stratosphere, offering services like satellite-based internet via partnerships with companies like Eutelsat OneWeb and Starlink. SoftBank is also investing in High Altitude Platform Stations (HAPS) to deliver connectivity directly to smartphones and other devices, aiming to provide advanced and seamless connectivity services and Digital Transformation (DX) solutions in Japan and around the world. Their partners include Skylo Technologies, OneWeb, and HAPSMobile.
All verified mentions of this organization in source documents.
SoftBank paid $21.6 billion for Sprint in 2013.
SoftBank's Masahiko Sunakawa suggests that direct satellite connections for smartphones could resemble the services provided by terrestrial carriers but replacing all terrestrial coverage with satellite communication is difficult.
SoftBank sees commercial potential in HAPS by using operational experiences for overseas product development.
SoftBank plans to work with Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) to complement satellite and HAPS communication, maintaining a cooperative relationship.
SoftBank also explores the possibility of leveraging HAPS to provide communication coverage for drone flight paths in rural areas.
SoftBank announced an exclusive contract with U.S.-based Sceye to develop an LTA-type HAPS, with plans for pre-commercial service launch in Japan in 2026.
In September 2023, SoftBank successfully conducted a communication test using a self-developed payload carrying 5G from the stratosphere through an unmanned aerial vehicle.
SoftBank began exploring the development of a stratospheric communication platform called 'HAPS' in 2017 and successfully flew in the stratosphere for the first time in September 2020.
SoftBank aims to achieve ubiquitous connectivity by merging terrestrial networks like LTE and 5G with non-terrestrial networks (NTN) like satellite communication and HAPS.
SoftBank's Starlink Business offers faster download speeds than Eutelsat OneWeb but can experience slowdowns during high traffic times.
SoftBank plans to start providing Eutelsat OneWeb services in September 2025, in addition to Starlink Business.
A Japanese consortium of Softbank, ArkEdge Space, Kiyohara Optics, and the National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT) is planning to demonstrate optical communications between space and the stratosphere.
SoftBank is responsible for the integration of the stratospheric communication device with HAPS and the implementation of the flight.
Kiyohara Optics, ArkEdge Space, NICT, and SoftBank Corporation are collaborating to create demonstrations of optical wireless communications between space and the stratosphere as well as between space and the ground.
Softbank will conduct HAPS flight operations and integrate equipment for the optical wireless communication project.
Softbank will develop optical wireless communication devices and related equipment for stratospheric environments.
On October 16, 2025, the National Institute of Communications and Technology (NICT), Kiyohara Optical Co., Ltd., Arc Edge Space, and SoftBank Corp. signed a cooperative agreement to promote optical wireless communication between space and the stratosphere, and between space and the ground.
Arc Edge Space, SoftBank, the National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT), and Kiyohara Optical established a partnership agreement on October 16 to promote the demonstration of optical wireless communication between space and the stratosphere and between space and the ground.
The payload developed by SoftBank was mounted on a light aircraft flying at an altitude of approximately 3000 meters.
SoftBank aims to utilize the results and knowledge gained from the experiment to further enhance payload capacity and implement HAPS in commercial services.