KDDI set to acquire SORACOM, strengthen offering in IoT space

KDDI Corporation is all set to acquire the outstanding shares of SORACOM, Inc., making Soracom a consolidated subsidiary of KDDI.

Soracom, a leader in the IoT space, provides the SORACOM IoT platform, which combines over the air connectivity with cloud capability to deliver secure communication optimized for IoT and M2M.

Soracom customers can operate and manage connections and devices from the web console and API, and can quickly launch and scale IoT systems featuring advanced cloud integration and private cloud connections.

Soracom has already contributed significantly to the development of IoT capability in Japan and around the world. Since launching in September 2015, Soracom has expanded operations to the United States and Europe, initiated service in over 120 countries, and developed a worldwide base of over 7,000 customers.

At the same time, Soracom has established an IoT ecosystem of over 350 registered partners in the Soracom Partner Space, and Soracom engineers are working hard to grow and spread the IoT knowledge base with conferences, lectures, and hands-on workshops in Japan, the United States, and Europe, along with written contributions to various blogs and online communities.

KDDI has provided IoT/M2M services for over 15 years and offers mobile communication services in various industries, including smart meters and remote monitoring. In addition, KDDI is proactively advancing the communication base for future IoT services by developing next-generation networks such as cellular LPWA (LTE-M/NB-IoT) and 5G, and by providing individualized IoT solutions according to customer's needs.

The two companies will collaborate between KDDI's IoT business base and Soracom's communication platform, and will strongly promote expansion of the joint IoT platform worldwide. In addition, both companies will apply the IoT/M2M knowledge and customer base that they have developed to date as they create a market-leading new joint IoT business.

SORACOM services will continue to be provided to new and future customers without any changes in service.