Ericsson has announced a new collaboration with Japan’s SoftBank for enhancing SoftBank’s 4G and 5G networks. The deal includes the supply of Ericsson’s radio access network (RAN) products and solutions across several key regions in Japan, including Hokkaido, Tohoku, Kanto, Hokuriku, Tokai, and parts of Kansai.
Ericsson will support the operator in expanding its 5G Standalone (SA) coverage and leveraging AI for automation and operational efficiency.
SoftBank Capex
SoftBank’s Japanese telecom arm expanded its smartphone subscriber base to around 31.77 million by fiscal year‑end March 2025, adding approximately 1 million net new mobile subscribers in FY 2024.
Capital expenditures (capex) within the Consumer and Enterprise segments have remained relatively modest and stable. Over the FY 2023–25 period, SoftBank planned a combined total of about ¥974.6 billion, or roughly ¥325 billion per year, excluding large-scale AI infrastructure costs. In FY 2024, capex in those segments came in around ¥393 billion. SoftBank Group’s capital expenditure has declined from roughly USD 4.4 billion in 2022 to USD 3.8 billion in 2024.
This partnership aligns with SoftBank’s strategy to strengthen its mobile infrastructure while advancing toward more energy-efficient and intelligent network operations. The agreement spans low, mid, and high frequency bands and incorporates advanced RAN solutions from Ericsson Radio System, including the AIR 3255 and AIR 6476 radios.
These radios are designed for high-capacity performance and reduced energy consumption, with AIR 3255 offering up to 35 percent greater energy efficiency than previous generations. The deployment also includes Ericsson’s latest RAN Compute basebands, optimized for real-time AI execution, which enhance mobility, coverage, and spectrum efficiency while reducing power usage.
For SoftBank, this deal supports the company’s goals to expand 5G SA capabilities and integrate AI across its network operations. By utilizing Ericsson’s radio technologies and AI-enabled processing power, SoftBank aims to deliver a superior user experience for both enterprise and consumer markets in Japan.
Hideyuki Tsukuda, Executive Vice President and CTO at SoftBank, highlighted the importance of this partnership in promoting 5G SA deployment and enhancing operational efficiency through AI.
Ericsson’s technology will allow SoftBank to automate network functions such as resource management, predictive maintenance, and self-optimizing networks, which are essential for maintaining competitive service quality in Japan’s dense urban environments.
The partnership also aligns with SoftBank’s digital transformation strategy, which includes enabling smart cities, industrial IoT, and supporting Japan’s national goals for digital economic growth.
Baburajan Kizhakedath
