The 12 closest competitors and alternatives to SoftBank among telecom companies — ranked by similarity to what SoftBank actually does, not by market-cap band.
Subscribe to see SoftBank’s full profile → the full roster, investors in every round, weekly hiring history and every corporate event
SoftBank Corp. is a company headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. It is part of the SoftBank Group, which focuses on building on its telecommunications foundation to unlock the potential of AI.
Ranked by semantic similarity — how close each company is to SoftBank by what it does, using Xcout's live company graph. Click any company for its full profile, or its competitor set.
Similar telecom company
KDDI Corporation operates as a prominent telecommunications provider, delivering services across Japan and on an international scale. The company's business is divided into two primary divisions: Personal Services and Business Services. The Personal Services segment offers a comprehensive array of mobile communication options, including smartphone and mobile phone services under the "au" brand, alongside MVNO (mobile virtual network operator) services. This segment also provides fixed-line solutions such as au Hikari, covering voice, data transmission, fiber-to-the-home (FTTH), and cable television (CATV). Beyond core telecom, Personal Services extends to smartphone-centric financial and payment services via au PAY, IoT (Internet of Things) solutions like au HOME for pet monitoring, energy conservation through au Denki, and even English language education with AEON. The Business Services segment caters to corporate clients, delivering data center facilities under its TELEHOUSE brand. It also develops various solutions spanning network and cloud services, as well as support for smartphones and other devices. This division's portfolio further includes broadcasting, wireless broadband, mail order, IT support, call center management, and temporary staffing. Additionally, it offers expert services in the design, construction, maintenance, and operational oversight of critical communication infrastructure, including submarine cables. Founded in 1953, the company maintains its headquarters in Tokyo, Japan.
Similar telecom company
True Corporation Public Company Limited is Thailand's leading telecom-tech company, headquartered in Bangkok. It is the sole provider of full service across all eight 5G and 4G bands in the country.
Similar telecom company
NTT DOCOMO, INC. is headquartered in Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan. The company offers a home phone service that utilizes its mobile network, allowing users to use a home phone number with an area code.
Telecommunications
LINEMO is an online-only mobile carrier brand backed by SoftBank, offering low-cost SIM and smartphone rate plans in Japan. It provides data plans with features like free LINE data usage, overseas roaming options, and satellite messaging services for individual consumers.
Similar telecom company
NTT, Inc. functions as a prominent telecommunications provider with a significant presence across Japan and internationally. The company structures its operations across four primary divisions: Integrated ICT Business, Regional Communications Business, Global Solutions Business, and its diverse "Others" segment. Within its Integrated ICT unit, NTT delivers an array of services including mobile communications, domestic long-distance and international telephony, integrated solutions, and system development. The Regional Communications division focuses on local (intra-prefectural) communication services and associated support. For its global clientele, the Global Solutions segment offers comprehensive offerings such as system integration, network infrastructure, cloud computing, and global data center management, alongside consulting, managed services, and custom system and software development. Furthermore, the "Others" segment diversifies the company's activities through interests in real estate, construction, and the energy sectors. Founded in 1952, NTT, Inc. was previously known as Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation, officially transitioning to its current name in July 2025. Its corporate headquarters are situated in Tokyo, Japan.
Similar telecom company
Advanced Info Service (AIS) is a leading telecommunications provider based in Thailand, headquartered in Bangkok. The company has been operating since its founding in 1986.
Similar telecom company
NTT Communications Corporation is a Japanese telecommunications and ICT services company serving enterprise and government customers. It provides global network services, data centers, cloud and managed IT services, cybersecurity, and related digital solutions.
Telecommunications
NTT West, Inc. is a telecommunications company headquartered in Osaka, Japan. Operating under Nippon Telegraph and Telephone, the company provides network services and telecommunications infrastructure in its designated regional market.
Similar telecom company
Saudi Telecom Company (stc Group) is a multinational telecommunications company headquartered in the King Abdulaziz Complex in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Similar telecom company
Japan Communications Inc. provides mobile communication services and mobile solutions in Japan, the United States, and internationally. It engages in the development and operation of an authentication platform for internet transactions; operation for telecommunication business; and development and research of technologies for MVNO (mobile virtual network operator) and MVNE (mobile virtual network enabler). The company is also involved in the development of network security solutions; and the development and sale of sub-sim and related solutions. The company was incorporated in 1996 and is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan.
Similar telecom company
True Digital Group is a core business of True Corporation Plc., Thailand's leading Telecom-Tech company, headquartered in Bangkok, Thailand. The company is committed to empowering digital equity.
Telecommunications
freenet AG offers telecommunication and digital lifestyle products and services, including mobile telephony and AI-assisted hardware. The company serves individual consumers through an omni-channel approach with targeted and customer-centric advice.
Search any company we track to see its competitive set.
Paste a short paragraph describing a company or product — we'll find the most similar companies we track, scored 1–100.
Funding, investors, tech stack, hiring signals, leadership and corporate events — for SoftBankand every competitor above — in one live dashboard.
Subscribe to Xcout Intel →