Press

BBIX, Inc. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo, President and CEO: Hidetoshi Ikeda, hereinafter "BBIX"), a subsidiary of SoftBank Corp. that operates an Internet Exchange (IX) business, and OPTAGE Inc. (Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Osaka, President and Representative Director: Masahiko Nabe, hereinafter "OPTAGE"), a company of the Kansai Electric Power Group, have entered into a collaboration agreement for the cloud-based network service 'Open Connectivity eXchange' (hereinafter 'OCX'). Under this collaboration, BBIX will open an OCX connecting point in Shinsaibashi POP (Chuo-ku, Osaka) operated by OPTAGE on April 1, 2024.

OCX is a cloud-based network service jointly provided by BBIX and BBSakura Networks, Inc. (Headquarters: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, President and CEO: Hideyuki Sasaki, hereinafter "BBSakura"), a subsidiary of BBIX that operates a network solution business. Through OCX, we provide customers high-security, low-latency, and scalable network connections to cloud services and data centers, on demand.

OPTAGE will open the connectivity area "Shinsaibashi POP" within the convenient and reliable Shinsaibashi Data Center. Shinsaibashi POP is located close to the Dojima area/ Shinsaibashi area, where IXs and cloud POPs are concentrated in Kansai region, by utilizing our own optical fiber, we provide an environment that allows for low-latency and stable connections to these points.

Through this collaboration agreement, we will provide customers with OCX, which leverages BBIX's flexible and scalable network infrastructure and BBSakura's strong software development capabilities, via Optage's convenient and reliable data center. Furthermore, we will continue to challenge ourselves to create the future for our customers by utilizing cutting-edge technology towards DX (digital transformation), which will continue to accelerate.

■Collaboration image

■Comments from each company

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

I am very pleased to be able to conclude a collaboration agreement for OCX with OPTAGE, which is the first among power-related telecommunications company. By combining OPTAGE's data center and optical fiber-based services with OCX, we will provide high-quality network services and promote DX. We will continue to strengthen our collaboration with power-related telecommunications company and strive to contribute to the business growth of our customers in various regions.

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

I sincerely welcome OPTAGE's participation in OCX. With this collaboration, OCX services will be available at OPTAGE's Shinsaibashi Data Center, making it easier to connect with other data centers that are OCX connection points. Through this collaboration, we aim to build various solutions through OCX and promote DX together in the Kansai region.

Masahiko Nabe, President & Representative Director, OPTAGE Inc.

I am very pleased to be able to collaborate with BBIX and BBSakura Networks, which are leading the telecommunications industry with IX and network services. The Shinsaibashi POP, which will be opened ahead of the Sonezaki Data Center (scheduled for January 2026), will become a connection point for OCX, it will be possible to easily connect with many data centers outside the Dojima Area/ Shinsaibashi Area. Through this collaboration, we will promote our customers' DX and contribute to the development of the Kansai area.

◆BBIX company profile
Company name: BBIX, Inc.
URL ：https://www.bbix.net/en/
Head Office: 1-9-10 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Representative: Hidetoshi Ikeda, President & CEO
Date of establishment: June 13, 2003
Capital: JPY100 million
Shareholders: SOFTBANK CORP. 100%
Business Description:
Telecommunications business under the Telecommunications Business Law, Rental, maintenance, and management of telecommunications equipment, Development, sales, maintenance and management of computer hardware and software.

◆BBSakura company profile
Company name: BBSakura Networks, Inc.
URL ：https://www.bbsakura.net/en
Head Office: 7-20-1 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
Representative: Hideyuki Sasaki, President & CEO
Date of establishment: August 1, 2019
Capital: JPY200 million
Shareholders: BBIX, Inc. 51%, SAKURA internet Inc. 49%
Business Description:
Telecommunications business under the Telecommunications Business Law, Rental, maintenance, and management of telecommunications equipment, Development, sales, maintenance and management of computer hardware and software.

◆OPTAGE company profile
Company name: OPTAGE Inc.
URL ：https://optage.co.jp/en/
Head Office: 2-1-5 Shiromi, Chuo-ku, Osaka
Representative: Masahiko Nabe, President & Representative Director
Date of establishment: April 2,1988
Capital: JPY33 billion
Shareholders: Kansai Electric Power Co., Inc. 100%
Business Description:
Telecommunications, Cable broadcasting, Cable broadcasting, Security Services, System development, operation, and maintenance related to information systems, telecommunications, and broadcasting.

• ＊：The company names and service names in this press release are registered trademarks or trademarks of their respective companies.
• ＊：The information contained in this press release, including information on products, specifications, inquiries and other information, is as of the announcement date.
• ＊：This information is subject to change without prior notice.