Press Releases
2023/12/25
BBIX and EHIME CATV Sign Business Partnership with Open Connectivity eXchange
December 25, 2023
BBIX, Inc.
BBSakura Networks, Inc.
EHIME CATV, Inc.
BBIX and EHIME CATV Sign Business Partnership with Open Connectivity eXchange
BBIX to expand the first OCX connection point in Shikoku region at “EHIME CATV 4th building”
BBIX, Inc. (“BBIX”), a subsidiary of SoftBank Corp. that operates an Internet Exchange (“IX”) business, has entered into a business partnership agreement with EHIME CATV, Inc. (“EHIME CATV”) on Open Connectivity eXchange (“OCX”), a cloud-based network service. With this partnership agreement, BBIX will add the OCX connection point in the Shikoku region at EHIME CATV’s “EHIME CATV 4th building” (Matsuyama City, Ehime Prefecture) on January 1, 2024.
OCX is a cloud-based network service provided by BBIX and BBSakura Networks, Inc. (“BBSakura”), a network solutions provider and subsidiary of BBIX. OCX provides on-demand, highly secure, low-latency, scalable connectivity services to a variety of cloud services and data centers used by customers.
EHIME CATV provides independently produced local information programs, multi-channel broadcasting, wired and wireless Internet access, fixed-line telephone and MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator) services to approximately 160,000 households in its service area of Matsuyama City, neighboring cities and towns, and Ainan Town. EHIME CATV aims to be a cable TV station that is loved by and familiar to residents, contributing to regional development by utilizing ICT (Information and Communication Technology).
By combining BBIX’s network infrastructure, BBSakura’s software development capabilities, and EHIME CATV’s advanced telecommunication technology and services, the business partnership will promote DX (Digital Transformation) and enrich local lifestyles in the Shikoku region to meet the various needs of its customers.
■Partnership Model
■Executive Comments
Michikazu Fukuchi, Executive Vice President, Board Director and COO, BBIX, Inc.
“We are very pleased this collaboration with EHIME CATV marks OCX’s first foray into the Shikoku region. We will work to deliver higher quality communications to our corporate and individual customers by utilizing OCX for services for the local community, and BBIX will continue to promote DX for local customers.”
Hideyuki Sasaki, President and CEO, BBSakura Networks, Inc.
“We are pleased to announce that OCX is finally being deployed in the Shikoku region through collaboration with EHIME CATV. Based on the philosophy of developing a cloud-native connection environment in any area of Japan, we would like to work closely with EHIME CATV to expand and promote DX.”
Naruto Shiraishi, Senior Managing Director, EHIME CATV, Inc.
“We are very pleased to collaborate with BBIX on the OCX network service. Since its opening in 1991, EHIME CATV has been engaged in a variety of businesses as a comprehensive information service company with close ties to and contribution to the local community. In this collaboration, the OCX network service will be deployed in the region as a new service. We will contribute to the development of the region by providing closed, high-quality cloud-based network services to customers in the region.”
■ 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
Capital: 100 million yen
Ownership: 100% owned by SoftBank Corp.
Business: Telecommunications operator under Japan’s Telecommunications Business Act; leasing, maintenance & management of telecommunications equipment; development, sales, maintenance & management of computer hardware/software
■ 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
Capital: 200 million yen
Ownership: BBIX, Inc. 51%, SAKURA internet Inc. 49%
Business: Telecommunications operator under Japan’s Telecommunications Business Act; leasing, maintenance & management of telecommunications equipment; development, sales, maintenance & management of computer hardware/software
■ About EHIME CATV
Company Name: EHIME CATV, Inc.URL: https://www.e-catv.ne.jp/
Headquarters: 1-11-4 Otemachi, Matsuyama-shi, Ehime
Representative: Takashi Miyauchi, Representative Director
Date of establishment: August 22, 1989
Date of opening: October 1, 1991
Capital: 300 million yen
Ownership: 100% owned by the Kansai Electric Power Co., Inc.
Business: Cable Television Broadcasting; Telecommunications 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.
BBIX, Inc.
