Softbank, satellite making phone for use in earthquakes

Softbank will soon offer a new satellite phone for use in earthquakes and other natural disasters.

The Japanese carrier said it has teamed with Thuraya, a Dubai-based provider of satellite operator services and phones, to offer services. The companies said they will launch a new handset designed specifically for the Japanese market from February, sold through Softbank's retail outlets across the country. Softbank said the deal with Thuraya will allow it to provide better services during natural disasters like the massive earthquake and tsunami that hit northeast Japan last year. In the power and services outages that followed, Softbank was often slower to restart services than its local competitors. The company said it will specifically target local media, energy companies and government customers, although private individuals will also be able to buy the new satellite phone.