Press Releases

IIJ and ACCESS Announce Dissolution of Joint Venture of SDN Business

TOKYO, — May 29, 2015 — Internet Initiative Japan Inc. (IIJ) and ACCESS CO., LTD. (ACCESS) today announced they have agreed to constructively dissolve Stratosphere Inc. (Stratosphere), a joint venture established by the two companies to conduct R&D on infrastructure software based on software defined networking (SDN) technology.
The companies plan to dissolve the joint venture on July 1, 2015.

1. Background
   Stratosphere was established in April 2012 with the goal of researching and developing software to build an ideal platform for the next-generation cloud computing environment. Since its founding, Stratosphere continued to develop software products to make SDN a reality. The company created a market for SDN in Japan and promoted its use by launching products such as “Stratosphere SDN Platform (SSP)” network virtualization platform for telecom carriers in October 2012, and “OmniSphere” SDN solution for building virtual office networks in August 2013.
   IIJ and ACCESS have both benefited from the research and development Stratosphere has conducted until now and, having reached the stage where both companies can make use of the software products and technical findings developed by Stratosphere for each company’s services and solutions, IIJ and ACCESS have now agreed to dissolve the joint venture.
2. Future business operations
   IIJ and ACCESS will both take over Stratosphere’s business via a business transfer. The business transfer is scheduled to take place on July 1, 2015, after which the companies plan to terminate the Stratosphere joint venture.
   IIJ will integrate SSP and OmniSphere technologies into its service infrastructure to make infrastructure building in cloud service and network service management more efficient and advanced, and will continue to develop new solutions that take advantage of SDN technology.
   ACCESS will build upon the results of the Stratosphere business, and will continue to develop the world’s most advanced network virtualization software solutions through IP Infusion Inc., its wholly-owned subsidiary located in California, USA.

Stratosphere Corporate Outline

About IIJ
Founded in 1992, Internet Initiative Japan Inc. (IIJ, NASDAQ: IIJI, Tokyo Stock Exchange TSE1: 3774) is one of Japan’s leading Internet-access and comprehensive network solutions providers. IIJ and its group companies provide total network solutions that mainly cater to high-end corporate customers. IIJ’s services include high-quality systems integration, cloud computing/data center services, security services, MVNO/MVNE services, and Internet access. Moreover, IIJ has built one of the largest Internet backbone networks in Japan that is connected the United States, the United Kingdom and Asia. IIJ was listed on NASDAQ in 1999 and on the First Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange in 2006. For more information about IIJ, visit the IIJ Web site at www.iij.ad.jp/en/.

About ACCESS
Since 1984, ACCESS CO., LTD. (Tokyo Stock Exchange Mothers’ Index, 4813) has provided advanced IT solutions centered around mobile and network software technologies to telecom carriers, consumer electronics manufacturers, broadcasting, publishing companies, the automotive industry, and energy infrastructure companies around the world. The company has developed mobile software that has been installed on over one billion devices, and network software that has been used by over 250 telecommunication equipment manufacturers. Utilizing its network virtualization technology skills and knowledge, the company is currently focusing on the development and commercialization of Internet of Things (IoT) and media solutions that combine embedded and cloud technology. Headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, the company operates subsidiaries and affiliates in Asia, Europe and the United States to support and expand its business globally. Learn more about ACCESS at www.access-company.com.

• “ACESSS” and the ACCESS logo are the registered trademark and service mark of ACCESS CO., LTD. in Japan, the U.S., and other countries