Soracom, a global IoT platform provider, and Marubeni Corporation, a Japanese general trading company, have announced a joint venture between that what will offer IoT Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) services in Japan and expand IoT capabilities to a variety of global regions and industries.
Marubeni Network is one of only a few full MVNOs in Japan and operates its business using NTT Docomo’s network. Soracom is a full MVNO that provides services across 185 countries using KDDI and global networks, providing communication services specialized for IoT. Soracom has also developed a cloud-native Connectivity Management Platform (CMP) using its own technology.
The new company will take over the MVNO business of Marubeni Network Solutions Corporation (“Marubeni Network”), a network outsourcing company under Marubeni I-DIGIO, and will operate as a joint venture, with 51 percent investment from Soracom.
Regional Expansion
By collaborating with the Marubeni Group, Soracom will provide mobile services, including higher-quality IoT communication, compatible with various communication environments as a multi-carrier Full MVNO operator. The new company’s services will be used as a starting point and collaborating with Marubeni’s subsidiaries’ assets, such as DX consulting and data analysis, to meet the diverse needs of a wide range of customers regardless of industry or region.
The deal comes as advances in IoT, cloud, and AI technologies have created a demand for systems that can visualize on-site conditions in real time and control and optimize them remotely in a wide range of fields, including manufacturing, logistics, infrastructure, construction, energy, and finance. Officials from both companies noted existing IoT platforms and communications infrastructure are unable to fully cater to the needs of today’s customers due to differences in system requirements and communication environments at respective sites, as well as a lack of systems to centrally manage and operate networks across multiple overseas bases and regions.
Future Plans
Plans are for the joint venture to explore supporting the latest SIM technologies such as the next-generation SIM and iSIM and apply SIM technology to SASE (Secure Access Service Edge) to provide integrated network and security functions to mobile workers.
Furthermore, the partners are considering the development of multi-carrier profiles, which will allow multiple domestic operator profiles to be used with a single SIM.
The establishment of the joint venture follows an agreement signed by Marubeni and Soracom in February 2025 with the intention to collaborate globally on IoT. They are considering further international business expansion in infrastructure areas such as mobility, agriculture, and electricity and water.