SoftBank (Japan): 4G and 5G bands
SoftBank (Japan) runs 4G on B1, B3, B8; B8 is the coverage layer. 5G bands: n1, n3, n28, n41, n77, n257. 5G SA: live (2021); RedCap: commercial; 3G: switched off (2024-04-15); 2G: switched off (2012).
Check your module in Japan
Results cover the 4 networks here; the home page checks every country at once.
Bands in detail
| Band | Name | Duplex | Uplink MHz | Downlink MHz | Layer | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| B1 | 2100 IMT | FDD | 1920–1980 | 2110–2170 | capacity layer | cross-checked12 |
| B3 | 1800 DCS | FDD | 1710–1785 | 1805–1880 | capacity layer | cross-checked12 |
| B8 | 900 E-GSM | FDD | 880–915 | 925–960 | coverage layer | cross-checked12 |
| B11 | 1500 Lower PDC | FDD | 1427.9–1447.9 | 1475.9–1495.9 | capacity layer | single source1 |
| B28 | 700 APT | FDD | 703–748 | 758–803 | coverage layer | single source1 |
| B41 | 2500 BRS | TDD | 2496–2690 | 2496–2690 | capacity layer | single source1 |
| B42 | 3500 | TDD | 3400–3600 | 3400–3600 | capacity layer | single source1 |
| n1 | 2100 IMT | FDD | 1920–1980 | 2110–2170 | capacity layer | single source1 |
| n3 | 1800 DCS | FDD | 1710–1785 | 1805–1880 | capacity layer | single source1 |
| n28 | 700 APT | FDD | 703–748 | 758–803 | coverage layer | single source1 |
| n41 | 2500 BRS | TDD | 2496–2690 | 2496–2690 | capacity layer | single source1 |
| n77 | 3700 C-Band | TDD | 3300–4200 | 3300–4200 | capacity layer | single source1 |
| n257 | 28 GHz mmWave | TDD | 26500–29500 | 26500–29500 | capacity layer | single source1 |
Frequencies are from the 3GPP specifications. “Single source” means only one community source lists the band; it is shown but not scored.
Network status
| 5G SA | Live (2021)3 |
|---|---|
| RedCap | Commercial4 |
| LTE-M | Commercial5 |
| NB-IoT | Commercial5 |
| 2G | Switched off (2012)6 |
| 3G | Switched off (2024-04-15)7 |
Our dongles on this network
Supports B1, B3, B8 (coverage layer).
Supports B1, B3, B8 (coverage layer).
Supports B1, B3, B8 (coverage layer).
5G: 5G match on single-source bands only
Sources
- C Frequency checker: Japan Kimovil · 2026-09
- C Japan: frequencies by operator FrequencyCheck · 2026-09
- B SoftBank launches 5G Standalone services in Japan RCR Wireless · 2021
- B 5G RedCap – April 2026 (42 operators in 27 markets; 14 commercial launches) GSA · 2026-04
- B Mobile IoT network launches (Nov 2025) GSMA · 2025-11
- B 2G/3G switch-off sprint in China; Korea’s WCDMA rights expire 2026-12-31 IT Times (IT时报), via 36Kr · 2026-06-08
- A End of feature-phone site; 3G end dates: docomo 2026-03-31, SoftBank 2024-04-15, KDDI 2022-03-31 City of Yokohama · 2026-03-17
