SOFTBANK MOBILE  has selected Nokia Siemens Networks to supply, deploy and integrate its 4G, FDD-LTE (Frequency Division Duplex Long Term Evolution) network to upgrade its mobile broadband capability across Japan.

SOFTBANK MOBILE expects to offer LTE services in autumn 2012. Under a separate contract, Nokia Siemens Networks will also expand SOFTBANK MOBILE’s HSPA+ network to enable new services using the recently allocated 900 MHz frequency band.

Junichi Miyakawa, Executive Vice President, Director and CTO at SOFTBANK MOBILE said, “SOFTBANK MOBILE is witnessing a major upsurge in subscriber numbers with now over 28 million customers.

We are committed to providing people with the best mobile internet experience through the launch of 4G, using FDD-LTE, and enhanced, nationwide, HSPA+ network coverage. Nokia Siemens Networks’ mobile broadband technology and services will help us deliver on this commitment. Importantly, Nokia Siemens Networks’ familiarity with our existing network environment offers cost savings as well as enables a faster roll-out of high-quality mobile broadband services.”

“By launching new LTE services later this year, SOFTBANK MOBILE will reaffirm its leadership as an operator that constantly evolves and adapts to new technologies,” said Takayuki Kanda, head of the SoftBank customer team at Nokia Siemens Networks.