SoftBank
SoftBank Corp. is a Japanese telecommunications company serving 41+ million mobile subscribers and 72 million PayPay users, transforming into an AI infrastructure provider through its Telco AI Cloud, OpenAI partnership, and proprietary Large Telecom Model.
- Company typePublic
- Founded1981
- HeadquartersMinato, Japan
- Headcount5,001–10,000
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What SoftBank does
SoftBank Corp. is a Japanese publicly traded telecommunications company (TSE: 9434) and a subsidiary of SoftBank Group Corp., headquartered in Minato, Tokyo. The company serves over 41 million mobile subscribers in Japan through its SoftBank, Y!mobile, and LINEMO brands and operates the PayPay mobile payments platform with 72 million registered users and ¥15.39 trillion in GMV. For FY2025, SoftBank reported revenue of JPY 7.04 trillion (approximately $47 billion), operating income of JPY 1.04 trillion, and net income of JPY 550.8 billion, representing year-over-year growth of 8%, 5%, and 5% respectively. The company is undergoing a strategic transformation from a traditional telecom operator into an integrated AI infrastructure provider under its "Activate AI for Society" plan.
SoftBank's core product and technology platform is the Telco AI Cloud architecture, which integrates GPU cloud data centers, AI-RAN-based Multi-access Edge Computing, and the proprietary Infrinia AI Cloud OS to enable distributed sovereign AI processing. Proprietary AI capabilities include the Large Telecom Model (ranked 3rd of 84 models in the GSMA Open-Telco LLM Benchmarks), the Multi-AI Agent Platform for autonomous network operations, the AITRAS orchestrator for dynamic compute allocation between AI and RAN workloads, Physical AI frameworks built on Vision-Language Model and Vision-Language-Action foundations for robotics, and Patching as a Service cybersecurity powered by OpenAI. Additional product lines include the Natural AI Phone (an AI-native smartphone running the Natural OS in partnership with Brain Technologies), 5G Standalone with network slicing, SoftBank Starlink Direct satellite communications, and emerging ventures in zinc-halogen battery storage and high-altitude platform station (HAPS) stratospheric connectivity.
SoftBank generates revenue through subscription-based consumer mobile and internet services, subscription-based enterprise AI and cloud offerings, usage-based GPU-as-a-Service and Inference-as-a-Service (launching October 2026 on NVIDIA GB200 NVL72), hardware sales from battery storage systems, and cybersecurity services distributed through the SB OAI Japan joint venture. Distribution combines 5,000+ retail locations, a direct enterprise sales force, online storefronts, and channel partnerships with NVIDIA, Ericsson, Microsoft, Nokia, Cisco, Samsung, SpaceX/Starlink, and Sceye. The company has secured approximately $64.6 billion in cumulative OpenAI investment commitments by end of 2026 and a $40 billion unsecured bridge loan from JPMorgan, Goldman Sachs, Mizuho, SMBC, and MUFG, underscoring the capital intensity of its AI transformation.
SoftBank firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- SoftBank
- Legal name
- SoftBank Corp.
- Website
- https://softbank.jp
- Company type
- Public
- Founded year
- 1981
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 5,001–10,000 employees
- Short description
- SoftBank Corp. is a Japanese telecommunications company serving 41+ million mobile subscribers and 72 million PayPay users, transforming into an AI infrastructure provider through its Telco AI Cloud, OpenAI partnership, and proprietary Large Telecom Model.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
SoftBank industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Mobile Telecommunications and AI Infrastructure
- NAICS
- Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services (5182)
- SIC
- Radiotelephone Communications (4812), Computer Communications Equipment (3576)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Edge-Integrated Private Connectivity (MEC + Private 5G/Wi‑Fi) (HDAIAGAE)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Responsible AI, Security & Privacy Platforms (Safety, Guardrails, PII) (HDAEANAG), Super-App Wallets & Mini-Program Payments (FSAMAEAE), Confidential AI & Privacy-Preserving ML (federated learning, MPC, HE, TEEs) (HDAAAKAI)
Keywords
Where SoftBank is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Minato
- HQ country
- Japan
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices4 records
Markets served
SoftBank business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Mobile Telecommunications Services: Core mobile subscription revenue including 5G services, device sales, and consumer telecommunications plans across SoftBank, Y!mobile, and LINEMO brands.
- Enterprise Solutions and AI Cloud Services: AI infrastructure services including GPU cloud offerings, AI-RAN edge computing, and enterprise software solutions for Japanese corporations.
- AI Data Center GPU Cloud: Kubernetes-as-a-Service and Inference-as-a-Service offerings launching October 2026, powered by NVIDIA GB200 NVL72 deployments.
- Cybersecurity Services (Patching as a Service): AI-powered vulnerability assessment and remediation services through SB OAI Japan joint venture targeting Japan's top 3,000 infrastructure companies.
- Battery Storage Systems: Zinc-halogen battery cells and energy storage systems targeting Japanese data center market, targeting over 100 billion yen annual revenue by FY2030.
- Power Infrastructure Investment: Strategic investments in power utilities (Tepco) to secure electricity supply for AI data center expansion.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | Paytoku 2 (ペイトク2) - Point-based pricing plan |
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | Enterprise cloud and AI services |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels6 records
SoftBank product offering
Product offeringCore offering
SoftBank Corp. provides consumer mobile telecommunications services (5G/4G voice, data, smartphones, and devices) under SoftBank, Y!mobile, and LINEMO brands to over 41 million subscribers in Japan. For enterprises, it sells AI infrastructure including GPU cloud (GPU-as-a-Service and Inference-as-a-Service), AI-RAN edge computing via AITRAS, the proprietary Infrinia AI Cloud OS, Patching as a Service cybersecurity through the SB OAI Japan joint venture with OpenAI, and 5G Standalone network solutions for Japanese corporations and government entities.
Product overview
SoftBank offers a comprehensive telecommunications and technology portfolio centered on its core mobile and network services, with strategic expansion into AI infrastructure and services. The core offering includes consumer mobile services (5G SA, Starlink Direct), internet connectivity (SoftBank Air/Hikari), and mobile devices, supplemented by AI-powered services like Perplexity Pro and Sakimiru. The company is transforming into an AI infrastructure provider through Telco AI Cloud - an integrated platform combining GPU cloud data centers, AI-RAN edge computing via AITRAS, and Infrinia AI Cloud OS - enabling distributed sovereign AI processing. Key AI offerings include the Large Telecom Model (generative AI for telecom ranked 3rd globally), Physical AI frameworks for robotics, and Patching as a Service cybersecurity powered by OpenAI through the SB OAI Japan joint venture. Emerging verticals include battery storage for AI data centers, HAPS stratospheric connectivity, and healthcare data platforms with Fujitsu/IBM/SMBC.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- ワイモバイル (Y!mobile): Value-focused mobile brand targeting price-conscious consumers
- LINEMO
- PayPay
- NatureBank
- SB OAI Japan
- Perplexity Pro
- だれでもAI (Daredemo AI)
- SoftBank Starlink Direct
- UTX
- 5G LAB
- basketLIVE
- D.LEAGUE
- サキミル (Sakimiru)
- HeartBuds
- Pocket WiFi
- HELLO CYCLING
- AI Smart Coach
- Assist Guide
- Infrinia AI Cloud OS
- AITRAS
Products and services
- Consumer Mobile Telecommunications Service 5G/4G voice, data, and smartphone connectivity for individual subscribers in Japan under SoftBank, Y!mobile, and LINEMO brands, with over 41 million subscribers.
- Patching as a Service AI-powered cybersecurity service leveraging OpenAI technology for vulnerability assessment, remediation planning, and implementation, offered through SB OAI Japan joint venture to Japanese critical infrastructure companies.
- AI Data Center GPU Cloud GPU-as-a-Service and Inference-as-a-Service offering powered by NVIDIA GB200 NVL72 deployments, providing Kubernetes-as-a-Service and AI inference capabilities through the Infrinia AI Cloud OS for Japanese enterprises.
- Battery Storage Business Standalone zinc-halogen battery cell manufacturing and energy storage systems business targeting AI data center power needs, developed with Cosmos Lab and DeltaX Co., with production starting March 2028.
- Telco AI Cloud Integrated distributed AI infrastructure platform combining GPU cloud data centers, AI-RAN-based Multi-access Edge Computing, and the Infrinia AI Cloud OS to enable distributed AI workloads with low latency, high reliability, and data sovereignty.
- Large Telecom Model (LTM) Generative AI foundation model for telecommunications industry, ranked 3rd out of 84 models in GSMA Open-Telco LLM Benchmarks, using telecom-specific learning framework with continuous pre-training, fine-tuning, and reinforcement learning.
- Natural AI Phone AI-native smartphone with Natural OS operating system from Brain Technologies, replacing traditional app-grid navigation with intention-based interaction, distributed exclusively through SoftBank's 5,000+ retail locations.
- 5G Standalone (SA) and Network Slicing Fifth-generation standalone mobile network technology with network slicing capabilities, demonstrated at F1 Japan Grand Prix with five simultaneous slices - the highest number achieved at an event in Japan.
- Japan AI Foundation Model Domestic trillion-parameter AI foundation model for physical AI in robotics, autonomous vehicles, and factory automation, developed through a joint venture with NEC, Sony, and Honda with up to JPY 1 trillion in NEDO funding.
- SoftBank Starlink Direct Direct-to-device satellite communication service allowing supported devices to send and receive messages and data without requiring ground station infrastructure, in partnership with SpaceX Starlink.
- Healthcare Data Platform Domestic AI-driven healthcare ecosystem platform developed with Fujitsu, IBM Japan, and SMBC, securely managing medical data combined with personal health data for AI-powered app-based health agents.
- Sakimiru AI-powered demand forecasting service analyzing weather forecasts and foot traffic patterns to predict customer numbers for retail and food service businesses, helping reduce food waste and optimize staffing.
- Perplexity Pro AI-powered search and answering service integrated into SoftBank mobile offerings for consumers.
Quantifiable outcome
- 5G Standalone users experienced approximately 4x faster downlink speeds and more than 14x faster uplink speeds at F1 Japan Grand Prix 2026
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use SoftBank
Customer profileNamed customers11 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles1 record
SoftBank technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration20 records
AI capability18 records
Feature8 records
SoftBank partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
20 partnerships are on record, tiered emerging, strategic and core.
- T&D HoldingsemergingTaiyo Life insurance products distribution through PayPay app; AI-powered customer service development; senior living and health services exploration.
- FujitsustrategicHealthcare data platform alliance with SMBC Group and SoftBank to build Japan-developed platform for sustainable healthcare; aims to reduce healthcare costs by ¥5 trillion through optimizing delivery and reducing duplicate testing.
- SMBC Group (Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group)strategicThree-party healthcare platform development with Fujitsu and SoftBank; combining financial services, technology, and telecommunications for AI-powered health solutions.
- COSMOS LAB (Cosmos Lab)strategicPartnership for zinc-halogen battery cell development for AI data center power storage; battery production facility in Sakai, Osaka targeting 1 GWh initial capacity scalable to several GWh.
- DeltaX Co.strategicPartnership for energy storage systems (BESS) development for Japanese data center market; supporting battery storage business launch.
- Samsung ElectronicsemergingSatellite communication support for Galaxy smartphones including S26 series through SoftBank network; direct-to-satellite messaging and emergency services.
- TOPPAN HoldingsstrategicJoint development of lightweight, durable wing skin for solar HAPS aircraft; testing method replicating stratospheric conditions; targeting commercial deployment on HTA-type HAPS from 2029.
- IntelstrategicTechnical partner for ZAM (Z-Angle Memory) next-generation AI memory development; approximately ¥8 billion investment through fiscal 2027 targeting mass production around 2029; consortium with Fujitsu, RIKEN, Development Bank of Japan.
- Brain TechnologiesstrategicLaunched Natural AI Phone in Japan - first large-scale commercial deployment of Natural OS AI-native operating system; distributed exclusively through SoftBank's 5,000+ retail locations.
- Japan AI Foundation Model Consortium (NEC, Sony, Honda)core¥1 trillion joint venture to build trillion-parameter domestic AI foundation model for physical AI (robotics, autonomous vehicles, factory automation); consortium with NEDO funding over 5 years; targeting 70% of global industrial robotics market.
- SceyeemergingPre-commercial HAPS test flight planned for summer 2026 in Japan; connecting to SoftBank Corp's core network for backhaul connectivity demonstrations and emergency response scenarios.
- Sakura InternetstrategicGPU-based AI compute services as domestic provider partner for Microsoft Azure in Japan; contributing to sovereign AI infrastructure development.
- Microsoftcore$10 billion Microsoft investment in Japan AI infrastructure through 2029; partnership for domestic large language models and data platforms accessible through Azure; SoftBank as local GPU compute partner for Microsoft Azure in Japan.
- SpaceX (Starlink)strategicDirect smartphone-to-satellite communication services planned; SoftBank to offer services connecting smartphones directly to Starlink satellites.
- EricssoncoreMulti-year framework agreement for 5G Standalone core network deployment; joint Physical AI proof-of-concept demonstrating AI-RAN networks for robotics; collaboration on network slicing for low-latency applications.
- CiscostrategicAll-optical network infrastructure partnership in Japan; Cisco AI Grid with NVIDIA for Telco AI Cloud; advancing SoftBank's vision for AI infrastructure transformation.
- Yaskawa Electric CorporationstrategicJoint proof-of-concept for Physical AI networks demonstrating how AI-RAN optimizes connectivity for robots working safely alongside humans; collaboration on social deployment of Physical AI in high human-interaction environments.
- Mitsubishi Heavy IndustriesstrategicCollaboration to deploy AITRAS platform for edge AI inference in industrial settings; field trial at MHI's Yokohama Hardtech Hub for defect detection and repair AI; integration of MHI's edge data center technologies with SoftBank's AI-RAN platform.
- NVIDIAcoreAI infrastructure partnership using GB200 NVL72 chips for sovereign AI cloud in Japan; part of 6G AI-native network coalition; SoftBank deploying NVIDIA technology for Telco AI Cloud architecture and AI-RAN infrastructure.
- OpenAIcoreJoint venture SB OAI Japan GK established for AI products in Japan; SoftBank committed $64.6 billion cumulative investment in OpenAI by end of 2026; launched Patching as a Service cybersecurity product using OpenAI technology; SoftBank participated in $110 billion OpenAI funding round.
Scale indicators16 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights7 records
SoftBank competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- NTT Docomo: Japan's largest mobile network operator with comparable consumer mobile subscriber base and 5G deployment. Competes directly with SoftBank in consumer telecom and increasingly in enterprise 5G/AI infrastructure offerings.
- KDDI: Japan's second-largest mobile operator and direct competitor in consumer mobile services. Also expanding into enterprise AI/cloud offerings and pursuing similar 5G SA deployment strategies.
- Rakuten Mobile: Japan's fourth mobile operator with cloud-native network architecture. Competes in mobile subscription services and has broader Rakuten ecosystem positioning similar to SoftBank's PayPay integration.
- SK Telecom: Korean mobile operator pursuing aggressive AI infrastructure strategy including sovereign LLMs, AI agents, and AI-RAN. Closest international peer in terms of telecom-to-AI infrastructure transformation and scale of ambition.
- KT Corporation: Korean mobile operator with comparable 5G and enterprise services portfolio. Pursuing AI integration in telecom operations and enterprise offerings similar to SoftBank's Telco AI Cloud vision.
Broad incumbents
- NTT (Nippon Telegraph and Telephone): Parent of NTT Docomo and a major Japanese telecom incumbent. Operates broadly across fixed/mobile telecom and enterprise IT, with growing AI and cloud initiatives competing with SoftBank's sovereign AI strategy.
- Deutsche Telekom: European telecom incumbent and majority owner of T-Mobile US. Comparable in scale and has similarly aggressive AI infrastructure investments, including partnerships with NVIDIA and SK Telecom for AI-RAN development.
- Verizon Communications: US wireless carrier with comparable 5G SA deployment, network slicing capabilities, and enterprise AI services. Operates at similar scale with growing AI infrastructure ambitions.
Emerging players
- Microsoft (Azure): Hyperscale cloud provider and strategic partner to SoftBank ($10B Japan AI commitment). Competes in enterprise AI infrastructure while also enabling SoftBank's GPU-as-a-Service through Azure integration in Japan.
Others
- NVIDIA: Strategic technology partner and GPU supplier for SoftBank's AI Data Center Cloud and Telco AI Cloud. While not a direct competitor, NVIDIA's AI-RAN reference architecture and enterprise AI initiatives intersect directly with SoftBank's AI infrastructure roadmap.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
SoftBank social profiles
Digital presenceSoftBank financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
SoftBank leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
SoftBank subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries4 records
SoftBank funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
SoftBank M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A1 record
Investments15 records
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about SoftBank
What does SoftBank do?
SoftBank Corp. provides consumer mobile telecommunications services (5G/4G voice, data, smartphones, and devices) under SoftBank, Y!mobile, and LINEMO brands to over 41 million subscribers in Japan. For enterprises, it sells AI infrastructure including GPU cloud (GPU-as-a-Service and Inference-as-a-Service), AI-RAN edge computing via AITRAS, the proprietary Infrinia AI Cloud OS, Patching as a Service cybersecurity through the SB OAI Japan joint venture with OpenAI, and 5G Standalone network solutions for Japanese corporations and government entities.
Is SoftBank a public or private company?
SoftBank is a public company. It is classified as public and is currently operating.
When was SoftBank founded?
SoftBank was founded in 1981. It employs 5,001 to 10,000 people.
Where is SoftBank based?
SoftBank is headquartered in Minato, Japan, in the Asia region.
How does SoftBank make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Mobile Telecommunications Services are the primary driver. The others are enterprise Solutions and AI Cloud Services, AI Data Center GPU Cloud, cybersecurity Services (Patching as a Service), battery Storage Systems and power Infrastructure Investment.
Who are SoftBank's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are NTT Docomo, KDDI, Rakuten Mobile, SK Telecom and KT Corporation. Broad incumbents are NTT (Nippon Telegraph and Telephone), Deutsche Telekom and Verizon Communications. Microsoft (Azure) is listed as an emerging player. NVIDIA is listed as an others.
Does SoftBank have an API?
No public API is recorded for SoftBank.
What industry is SoftBank in?
SoftBank's product category is Mobile Telecommunications and AI Infrastructure. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDAIAGAE, Edge-Integrated Private Connectivity (MEC + Private 5G/Wi‑Fi), with a secondary code of HDAEANAG, Responsible AI, Security & Privacy Platforms (Safety, Guardrails, PII). Its NAICS code is 5182 and its SIC code is 4812.