International News

(Telecompaper) Japan's Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications has allocated spectrum on the 900 MHz band to Softbank Mobile. Communication services using the so called platinum band are expected to launch on 25 July this year. The approved base station plan includes the installation of approximately 16,000 base stations in fiscal 2012, to be expanded up to 41,000 by fiscal 2016, providing 99.9 percent population coverage. Following the spectrum allocation, Softbank has also upped its capex forecast to JPY 1.1 trillion in two years, up from an earlier guidance of JPY 1 trillion. Another JPY 450 has been budgeted for fiscal 2013, representing an aggregate of JPY 1.55 trillion in three years. In a statement, communications firm eAccess expressed disappointment with the allocation, saying it is now the only operator who has not been allocated any platinum band spectrum. eAccess, which operates a mobile service under the Emobile brand, will now pursue spectrum in the 700 MHz band.