Wireless carrier Softbank is planning to replace 200,000 4G base stations with 5G alternatives in Japan, but they will come with an extra feature: wireless charging for your wearables.
As Nikkei Asia reports, rather than just offering a 5G connection for smartphones, Softbank will allow anyone who cares to stand within 10 meters of these new base stations a recharge. If you’re wearing a smartwatch, earbuds, or carrying a smartphone capable of wireless charging, no cables will be required. Simply hang around while your batteries get topped up.
Initially the power transfer will be limited to 1 milliwatt and the charging radius to 10 meters. In future, Softbank hopes to extend that range to 100 meters, but it needs regulations to catch up first and the general public to get used to the idea of this charging method.
Softbank has plenty of time to upgrade the base stations as the Japanese government isn’t relaxing the rules around wireless power transfer until 2024. At that point, outdoor wireless charging will be allowed and the company aims to launch a commercial service in 2025. The range of supported devices is expected to eventually include implanted health sensors and electronic tags used to prevent thefts.
The one problem Softbank may face is people owning compatible devices. Back in January, Xiaomi unveiled its Mi Air Charge technology. It’s capable of charging multiple devices regardless of where they are in a room, but each device needs to be equipped with an array of “beacon antennas” for recharging to work. If Softbank’s solution uses a similar technique, then the majority of existing devices probably aren’t going to be compatible without some form of accessory is attached.
