Marubeni subsidiary I-Digio has formed a joint venture with fellow Japanese company Soracom in the IoT field.

In recent years, advances in IoT, cloud and AI technologies have created a demand for systems that can visualise on-site conditions in real time and control and optimise them remotely in a wide range of fields, including manufacturing, logistics, infrastructure, construction, energy and finance. However, existing IoT platforms and communications infrastructure are unable to cater fully to the diverse needs of today’s users due to differences in system requirements and communication environments at respective sites, as well as a lack of systems to manage and operate networks centrally across multiple overseas bases and regions.

Marubeni and Soracom will promote this collaboration by combining the Japanese and international business assets and customer base of the Marubeni Group with the technological capabilities of Soracom.

Starting with the IoT technologies provided by the new company, Soracom and I-Digio (www.marubeni-idigio.com) will work together while leveraging the assets of Marubeni subsidiaries, such as digital transformation consulting and data analysis, to cater to the diverse needs of various users regardless of industry or region as well as to expand the use of IoT and digital transformation.

Marubeni and Soracom also concluded a previous agreement in February 2025 to collaborate in the IoT field in overseas markets and will consider business expansion in infrastructure areas such as mobility, agriculture, electricity and water supply overseas.

The new company will take over the MVNO business of Marubeni Network, a network outsourcing company, and will operate as a joint venture, with 51% investment from Soracom. Marubeni Network is one of a few full MVNOs in Japan and operates its MVNO business using NTT Docomo’s network. Soracom is a full MVNO that provides services using KDDI and global networks, providing communication services for IoT.

It has also developed a cloud-native customer management and control system using its own technology. By collaborating with the Marubeni Group, Soracom (soracom.com) aims to provide mobile services, including higher-quality IoT communication, compatible with various communication environments, as a multi-carrier full MVNO.

Under its GC2027 mid-term management strategy, Marubeni is focusing on platform investments that combine growth domains, high added value and scalability. This collaboration will create high added value in MVNO businesses and global communication services through the establishment of the joint venture in the growth area of IoT. In addition, since the IoT business can be widely expanded regardless of industry or region, it is expected to be scalable across the entire Marubeni Group.

Through this collaboration, Marubeni (www.marubeni.com) aims to use its business assets and customer base in Japan and overseas to realise IoT and DX in various industries, thereby remaining competitive in the rapidly changing digital market and promoting the improvement of corporate value by growing its business.