SAKURA internet launches BBIX’s Open Connectivity eXchange

SAKURA internet launches BBIX’s Open Connectivity eXchange

SAKURA internet Provides Closed Connectivity to Conditionally Certified Government Cloud “SAKURA’s cloud” via Made-in-Japan NaaS “OCX”

SAKURA internet Inc. (“SAKURA internet”), a provider of cloud computing services, will launch Open Connectivity eXchange (“OCX”) provided by BBIX, Inc. (“BBIX”), a subsidiary of SoftBank Corp. that operates an Internet Exchange (IX) business, and BBSakura Networks, Inc. (“BBSakura”), a network solutions provider and subsidiary of BBIX, as “OCX by BBIX” on January 15, 2024.

OCX is a made-in-Japan Network as a Service*1 (“NaaS”) cloud-based network service provided on BBIX’s IX platform. It provides a nationwide closed network and cloud access points in each region, eliminating the need for local governments and private companies to go through the lengthy order-to-open and complex design process that was previously required for network construction. In addition, it is possible to build a secure and high-quality closed connection on “SAKURA’s cloud,” which was conditionally certified*2 as a “Cloud Service for Government Cloud Development” by the Digital Agency in FY2023.

Note*1 NaaS and Network as a Service are registered trademarks of Mizuho Research & Technologies, Ltd.
Note*2 Conditional certification based on the assumption that all technical requirements will be met by the end of FY2025.

Features of “OCX by BBIX”

1.Easy connection to various cloud services via SAKURA internet

By combining “OCX by BBIX” with the “Service-to-Service Connection” option provided by SAKURA internet, it is possible to connect services such as SAKURA internet’s “SAKURA Dedicated Server PHY” and “SAKURA’s VPS Service” cloud services to other companies’ cloud services and data centers via “SAKURA’s cloud”.

2. Secure connection via closed network

“OCX by BBIX” communicates over a closed network, virtually separating communications for each customer. This enables secure communication between “SAKURA’s cloud” and other companies’ cloud services and data centers.

3. Wide bandwidth communication

In the past, building a multi-cloud environment with a closed network in “SAKURA’s cloud” required procurement of individual line carriers*3, and the higher the bandwidth, the more expensive it was to utilize the line. By using “OCX by BBIX”, there is no need for individual procurement and high bandwidth communication is possible at low cost. There is also no pay-as-you-go charge for the communication volume.

Note*3 In the case of construction without using SAKURA’s cloud’s “Service-to-Service Connection” option, “AWS connection option”.
 　　　SAKURA’s cloud’s “Service-to-Service Connection Option”: https://cloud.sakura.ad.jp/specification/connect/

4. Centralized support

When building a multi-cloud system by procuring individual line carriers, it often takes time to isolate a problem when it occurs. By signing up for “OCX by BBIX” provided by SAKURA internet, support is available through SAKURA internet’s contact point.

SAKURA internet, together with BBIX and BBSakura, will continue to support communications in the multi-cloud era.

Overview of “OCX by BBIX”

■ “OCX by BBIX” Connection Service

Cloud		・SAKURA’s cloud ・Amazon Web Service ・Microsoft Azure ・Google Cloud ・Oracle Cloud ・IBM Cloud
Data Center		・East Japan: 12 locations ・West Japan: 9 locations Please contact us for details.
Access Line		Access Line powered by MDA

■SAKURA internet’s connection service

The “Service-to-Service Connection” option provided by SAKURA internet enables interconnection between the following services.

  ・SAKURA’s cloud
  ・SAKURA Dedicated Server PHY
  ・SAKURA’s VPS Service
  ・Housing / Remote Housing

■Fees

Please contact SAKURA internet for an individual quotation.

*Examples of configurations and prices are shown in the documents provided on the website below.

■Service start date

January 15, 2024

■Details and Application Method

Please refer to the following website

https://www.sakura.ad.jp/ocx/

■Executive Comments

Sayuri Masaki, Executive Officer, SAKURA internet Inc.

“With the launch of OCX, we are now able to more easily provide our customers with a secure multi-cloud environment utilizing ’SAKURA’s cloud.’ We will continue to work with various companies to provide services that accelerate our customers’ digital transformation (DX).”

Michikazu Fukuchi, Executive Vice President, Board Director and COO, BBIX, Inc.

“We sincerely welcome the launch of OCX provided by SAKURA internet, jointly developed with BBSakura. By leveraging synergies with SAKURA internet and BBSakura, we will contribute to the spread of ’SAKURA’s cloud,’ which has been conditionally certified as a government cloud, and to the promotion of DX and business growth for customers throughout Japan.”

Hideyuki Sasaki, President and CEO, BBSakura Networks, Inc.

“We are very pleased to announce that SAKURA internet is now handling OCX. BBSakura, the developer of OCX, was established in 2019 as a joint venture between BBIX and SAKURA internet. Since then, we have benefited from various ways of cooperation in providing OCX, including the dispatch of software development engineers from SAKURA internet. SAKURA internet will start handling OCX shortly after ‘SAKURA’s cloud’ was conditionally certified as a government cloud, and this will be enable a one-stop service with ‘SAKURA’s cloud’ to support the requirements for connecting the government cloud to the ‘SAKURA’s cloud.’ We hope to accelerate the shift of our customers’ environments to cloud computing by deepening the collaboration with ‘SAKURA’s cloud’ as a made-in-Japan NaaS for multi-cloud needs, including the government domain, data centers, and closed circuit services.”

■ About SAKURA internet
Company Name: SAKURA internet Inc.
URL：https://www.sakura.ad.jp/corporate/
Headquarters: 1-12-12 Umeda, Kita-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka
Representative: Kunihiro Tanaka, President and Representative Director
Date of foundation: December 23, 1996
Date of establishment: August 17, 1999

■ About BBIX
Company Name: BBIX, Inc.
URL：https://www.bbix.net/en/
Headquarters: 1-9-10 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Representative: Hidetoshi Ikeda, President & CEO
Date of establishment: June 13, 2003

■ About BBSakura
Company Name: BBSakura Networks, Inc.
URL：https://www.bbsakura.net/en/
Headquarters: 7-20-1 Nishi Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
Representative: Hideyuki Sasaki, President & CEO
Date of establishment: August 1, 2019

■ Contact Point for Media Inquiries
SAKURA internet
Inquiry form: https://sakura.f-form.com/sakurapr

BBIX
E-mail：pr@bbix.net

BBSakura
Inquiry form: https://www.bbsakura.net/en/contact/business

● The company names and service names described in this press release are registered trademarks or trademarks of the respective companies.

● The content, products, specifications, contact information and other information contained in this press release are as of the date of announcement. This information is subject to change without notice.