Japan's first Android tablet with cloud SIM What are the unexpected needs in the telework era?

　The novel coronavirus has made it possible to avoid face-to-face contact, and online communication is accelerating. Along with this, not only smartphones but also devices such as PCs and tablets are attracting attention for models with built-in LTE that can communicate anytime, anywhere, regardless of location. In mobile routers, products equipped with a "cloud SIM" that enables stable communication beyond carrier restrictions are becoming popular.

　Since cloud SIM can use the radio wave of the optimum carrier in the place of use, it has become popular because it can reduce costs compared to international roaming when visiting overseas for business or travel. In addition, there is an advantage that communication can be performed without worrying about carriers even in areas where only specific carriers can be used, such as mountainous areas, remote islands, and resort areas.

　However, with the corona crisis, which is not a situation where people can travel casually, it seems unlikely that there will be a turn for cloud SIMs... but in reality, there are unexpected needs. We interviewed AIR-U President Tanaka, who released Japan's first (*) 10.1-inch tablet "CLOUD AiR-WiFi (ATab-1)" that adopted cloud SIM this July.

Inbound demand disappears On the other hand, the demand for telework is rapidly increasing

　AIR-U is an up-and-coming company that develops the entire telecommunications business. Widely involved in inbound/outbound prepaid SIM business, mobile router rental business for foreigners visiting Japan, and in-house band operation. In addition, resale services for corporations centered on "CLOUD AiR-WiFi" and businesses using cloud SIM such as network environment introduction support in local governments and educational fields are doing well.

　However, due to the corona crisis, the number of inbound prepaid SIM sales has dropped sharply. “Because we were selling it at all airports in Japan, we were hit hard by a 90% drop in sales,” recalls Mr. Tanaka. However, on the other hand, the demand for telework increased, and a completely different market was launched at the same time. Therefore, he says that the service for visiting Japan has been largely converted to meet the demand for telework in Japan.

``The biggest demand was in the student market, such as college students and vocational school students. Due to the corona crisis, schools switched to online classes, so students without internet access at home use cloud SIMs and prepaid SIMs. There was a move by schools to prepare terminals and distribute them to students, and we were able to maintain sales numbers that were sufficient to make up for the loss of inbound visitors.”

In addition, while local governments and schools are promoting the simultaneous introduction of tablet terminals, there has been an increasing demand for a simpler service that integrates data communication and devices.

　Traditional tablet terminals need to be connected via a Wi-Fi router or a separate SIM must be arranged. Elementary and junior high schools are increasingly distributing tablets to students, but most of them are used by connecting to Wi-Fi in the school.

　However, when doing homework using a tablet device at home, some households did not have an internet connection at home, creating an unfair environment for learning opportunities. In addition, there are voices, especially among parents of elementary school students, who want to check the location information of their children on tablet devices.

　With a tablet terminal equipped with a cloud SIM, there is no need to arrange a SIM separate from the tablet. We can provide the desired capacity according to your needs at a reasonable price, and you can also grasp the location information of your child with GPS. It is possible to create an environment where even households without an internet environment can equally study at home. Mr. Tanaka reveals that before the ATab-1 went on sale, "some schools and local governments had already decided to introduce it," because it greatly improved the problems that had been with tablet terminals so far.

Cloud SIM tablet that can be introduced smoothly

　CLOUD AiR-WiFi (ATab-1) is a new product that was just released in July. Since ATab-1 has a built-in cloud SIM, it can automatically connect to the optimal network in 134 countries and regions overseas as well as in Japan. There is no need for troublesome arrangements for physical SIMs and Wi-Fi routers, and data communication can be used easily and reasonably. And worth mentioning is the tethering function. A Tab-1 can connect up to 5 other devices at the same time, not just using a tablet.

　The screen size of the tablet terminal is 10.1 inch, and it is equipped with an 8-megapixel out-camera and a 2-megapixel in-camera. It has enough functions necessary for visual communication in a telework environment.

　The OS uses Android 11, and the CPU uses Qualcomm's Snapdragon 662. The USB is a Type-C port, and it also has a microSD slot that supports up to 128GB. It weighs only 570g and the battery lasts for 15 hours when connected, making it ideal for mobile use. "We have prepared high-precision specifications that are comparable to those of Android tablets on the market," says Mr. Tanaka proudly.

　It also supports Bluetooth 5.0, so you can connect an external keyboard and mouse wirelessly. Tablet terminals around 10 inches have a wide range of accessories such as covers, so users can use them in a highly expandable manner.

　What is worth mentioning is that you can start using the necessary apps in a preset state. Since Zoom and GMS (Google Mobile Service) are already installed on the ATab-1, you can quickly access business applications such as Gmail, Google Chrome, and Google Drive. The advantage is that it can be used immediately after introduction, minimizing the confusion that tends to occur at the site in the early stages of introduction, without lowering productivity.

　Although telework and telecommuting have become widespread, industries such as retail (stores), manufacturing, and construction have Since business is the premise, the gap with the head office has rather widened. In the future, it will be necessary to shift operations to digital and prepare for non-face-to-face communication even on a field basis.

Therefore, a tablet terminal equipped with a cloud SIM is useful. For purposes such as web conferencing and video viewing, there are many cases of requests to build a communication environment that can be used with a higher capacity, and there is a rapid increase in the number of companies that want to provide their employees with a communication environment that does not interfere with their work. I'm in a situation. With the ATab-1, it is possible to take advantage of these changes in the market and develop business as a resale offer.

　The installation of tablets in restaurants is also increasing, but Mr. Tanaka explains, "In that case, in order to use the Wi-Fi in the store, there are many installations without cloud SIM communication." It is also a nice point that you can choose whether or not to have a cloud SIM according to your needs to purchase only the device. And if there is a desire for cloud communication after purchasing the terminal, it is possible to add communication by retrofitting with a simple operation.

Cloud SIM tablets are a necessary product in the new normal era

　The environment surrounding the world has changed dramatically due to the corona crisis, and various operations have shifted to digital. Even if the spread of infection calms down, online communication will never return to full realism. That's why there will be more demand for products that can be used freely regardless of location.

　In the new normal era, one of the management challenges is to prepare an environment where employees can work freely and safely. This is the A Tab-1."

　It is an ambitious product that is Japan's first tablet with a cloud SIM, but now that communication is shifting to online , The value of ATab-1, which can be used anywhere in the world without barriers to carriers, is great. In particular, if you want to promote DX for employees working on the front lines of the field, the highly mobile ATab-1 should help.

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