Image
- Japan’s SoftBank Corp has been planning its 6G strategy for years already
- The use of high-frequency spectrum is set to play a key role in next-generation cellular service delivery
- SoftBank has teamed up with Nokia to trial services in the 7GHz band in Tokyo
With its 6G future in mind, Japanese network operator SoftBank Corp has set up an outdoor trial of cellular service coverage in Tokyo using spectrum in the 7GHz band and network equipment from Nokia.
The telco has been working on 6G concepts since at least 2017 and in 2021 it outlined a dozen key challenges for the next generation of cellular communications – see SoftBank outlines 12 challenges for 6G.
Since then it has invested a lot of time and effort in high altitude platform station (HAPS) connectivity options, such as the one recently unveiled with HAPS vehicle developer Sceye, and brokered 6G-related partnerships with the likes of Ericsson.
