Japanese operator announced it will commercially deploy a 3G femtocell service in January next year.
Softbank's femtocell network will connect to an IP multimedia subsystem core network from supplier NEC, which will also supply femtocell gateways.
The femtocells will be targeted to the residential market for use in the home, and will typically connect to the consumer's fixed Internet connection.
Sprint launched a femtocell network September last year although the service is promoted primarily to support voice -based rather than data services.
NEC recently said it has invested in femtocell solutions company Kineto Wireless.
.