Softbank seeks eight-way WiMAX alliance, paper says

Japan’s Softbank Corp is looking to team up with seven other firms, including internet access providers eAccess and Nifty Corp, to purchase a licence to offer WiMAX services in the government’s forthcoming auction. According to Kyodo News, the group, which also includes NEC Biglobe, So-net Entertainment Corp, FreeBit and investment companies Goldman Sachs and Temasek Holdings, intends to establish a new business venture to lay down the blueprint for its advanced wireless telecommunications business in Japan. The new WiMAX company will be capitalized at JPY20.05 billion (USD173.7 million) from 28 September 2007 and will be owned 32.42% each by Softbank and eAccess, 22.44% by Goldman Sachs, 11.72% by Temasek, and 0.25% each by NEC Biglobe, So-net, Nifty and FreeBit.