Jay Clemens
Boeing has purchased an equity stake in a SoftBank-backed joint venture that develops satellite-based disaster response communications concepts for Japan.
SoftBank Satellite Planning Corp. will work to develop, assess and forward satellite concepts to Japan’s ministry of internal affairs and communications, Boeing said Monday.
Craig Cooning, president of Boeing’s network and space systems business, said the company intends to work with SoftBank to complete the satellite-based technology for Japan.
Mark Spiwak, president of BSSI, added that Boeing’s portfolio includes a version of the Boeing 702 high-power satellite designed for mobile communications.
“As we’ve seen with hurricanes, tsunamis, and earthquakes, the presence of a communications infrastructure can mean the difference between life and death,†said Spiwak.
