Softbank did it again - Free Ustream Studio, and Free WiFi spots

One of the Japanese cell-phone cariors, Softbank is known for foreigner-friendly carrior.

With its innovative mind set is somewhat similar to that of Apple.

Today, they did it again.

Softbank gained the Japan's most friendly cell phone company in Japan among Twitter users.

From one tweet from Japanese Twitter user to Softbank CEO, Masatoshi Son, Softbank decided to open its company building and invited 2,000 guests to show around the company building.

And, one Japanese twitter suggested him to set-up a Ustream studio because Softbank announced to acquire a portion of Ustream share. Son replied immediately that he would do it.

1.5 months later, Softbank built a Ustream studio, and Son said he would open the Ustream Studio to anybody for FREE (although you need to apply for the time, of course.)

And without a doubt, today's event was broadcasted via Ustream, and more than 10,000 viewers witnessed this innovative communication of Softbank.



At the keynote speech, Son admit that Softbank cell network connectivity is a bit worse than other carriors. Whereas other carriors has 99% of connectivity, Softbank ONLY has 98%.

So he came up with three plans today.


Softbank's Connectivity Improvement Plans


1. Double the number cell-towers within a year

Son announced that they will double the cell towers so that indoor or underground would have better connectivity.

Softbank will create a Twitter account where users can report the connection problem.



2. Provide micro cell-tower to all household for FREE of charge

If you live in a remote area, and don't get the reception at home. Softbank announced to provide DSL-based cell tower to ALL household for free of charge (unless you need to dig a hole.) And if you do not have ADSL internet, Softbank will also provide ADSL like for FREE!

They will start accepting application on May 10. Since you are setting up a cell-tower, the paperwork would take more than 1 month to process.

Man... I've never heard of American cell phone carriors offer that... I didn't get a good AT&T reception in my West LA apartment.



3. Provide micro cell-tower & WiFi to all businesses (cafe, salon, restaurant) for FREE of charge.

The above service also applied to all small businesses (cafe, salon, restaurant etc). Softbank will provide FREE micro-cell tower as well as FREE WiFi spot for iPhone users (I think they will limit the free use of WiFi only to iPhone or smart phone users).





2. Three Ustrem Studios Open to All Users For FREE

Another announcement is three Ustream Studios.

Softbank just launched the Ustream studio in the company's cafeteria of their headquater building in Shiodome, Tokyo.

And they will install a Ustream studio at Softbank store in Shibuya, and some Karaoke store in Shibuya.

The people would need to make an appointment (I bet this will be hard to make). But they will be able to use Softbank's equipment to broadcast their own program for free.

At their Softbank's headquater Ustream Studio, they will have a talk-program style studio, and DJ booth studio.... It looked like they also have Rolland's video switcher and it would be a multi-camera studios.

Oh man.... Softbank is letting people use such a facility for free?

Man....

As a exclusive iPhone carrior, the keynote of Son suggested the Apple style without a doubt.

It was very exiciting and history moment among communication industry.

Japanese News Resource:

ソフトバンク，2010年度内に基地局倍増など携帯の電波改善策を宣言
http://itpro.nikkeibp.co.jp/article/NEWS/20100328/346316/

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