Softbank Corporation is planning to team up with Tokai Corporation, a Shizuoka-based energy and telecom firm, in a wide area of business activities including mobile phone operations.
In order to boost sales of mobile handsets, Softbank is considering leasing its telecom facilities to Tokai or sharing fibre optic and other networks with the group. Specifically, the two companies will begin cooperating in Vodafone mobile phone marketing by the time the mobile number portability system is launched in November. Softbank had entered the mobile phone business by striking a deal recently to acquire Vodafone KK, the Japanese unit of UK-based Vodafone.
