Softbank unveils new handsets compatible with high-speed data communication service

TOKYO —

Mobile communications giant Softbank Mobile Corp unveiled a range of new cell phones for 2012-2013 that will take advantage of the mobile carrier’s high-speed data communication service.

Now that Softbank’s Apple iPhone exclusivity deal has ended, the company is attempting to emphasize the growing importance of its new high speed data transfer service over handsets. In an attempt to fend off increasingly fierce competition from its rivals in the cellphone space, Softbank last week revealed it is to purchase mobile service operator eAccess Ltd to utilize its high-speed LTE data communication network.

The transmission speed of its 4G data communication service is as high as 76 megabits per second. The new range of smartphones, to be launched between this fall and next spring, will support tethering, to allow other devices such as personal computers and tablets to share the phone’s Internet connection.

The company has also announced the launch of a new content-on-demand service providing around 40,000 movies and TV programs via a set-top box connected to a television and an Internet connection.

Another service will enable users to stream around 50,000 multimedia files, including music, to smartphones. Both services are scheduled for launch in December. The company’s rival NTT Docomo is expected to announce similar services next month.