Cell Location is a feature that provides the approximate geographic location of a device using a Soracom IoT SIM based on the known location of the base station that it is connected to, even if the device does not have its own GPS receiver.

The database of base station location information used by this feature and its corresponding getCellLocation and batchGetCellLocations APIs has been provided by the Mozilla Location Service (MLS). However, due to the sunset of MLS, Soracom will be changing the reference database to OpenCelliD.

We would like to advise customers using the Cell Location feature of the following impact of this update:

New license requirements

Once the reference database has been changed, all data obtained through the Cell Location feature, including the getCellLocation and batchGetCellLocations APIs, will be subject to the CC BY-SA 4.0 DEED Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International license.

Action Required: If you are using data from the Cell Location feature (including its APIs), you will be required to comply with the above license. Please review the terms of the license and make any necessary adjustments to ensure compliance.

Updated location information

As the reference database of base station location information will change, some of the location information may be different. For example:

• Location information that was previously not available may now be available
• Location information that was previously available may no longer be available
• Other aspects of location information, such as geographic position or accuracy, may change

No changes will be made to the method of using the Cell Locations feature or its APIs. However, if your application relies on this data, please be advised that the data returned may include these or other changes.

Effective date

This update is scheduled to take effect on June 3, 2024.

Please note that the effective date may change without prior notice.

If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact the Soracom Support team.

We have added a new feature that allows adjusting the playback speed of Soracom Cloud Camera Services (SoraCam) videos stored in the cloud.

With this feature, users can fast-forward or slow down video playback, convenient for quickly locating specific events or conducting detailed observations.

For detailed instructions on how to use this feature, please refer to the SoraCam: Playing videos stored in the cloud documentation (Japanese).

We are pleased to announce the Waterproof/Dustproof Antenna Set for Soracom Onyx LTE™ USB Modem (SC-QGLC4-C1), now available from the Soracom IoT Store. This set includes a pair of Taoglas GA.130.201111 antennas and necessary adapter cables for connecting to a Soracom Onyx modem.

Waterproof/Dustproof Antenna Set for Soracom Onyx

• Availability: Japan only
• Price: 5,236 yen (tax included, shipping not included)
• Bundled with a 200 yen Soracom platform coupon (valid for 6 months, applicable to services with Japan coverage only)

Set contents:

• (2x) Taoglas GA.130.20111 Waterproof/Dustproof antennas (cable length: 2m)
• (2x) CRC9-SMA adapter cables

For more information, please refer to the product page (Japanese).

The Soracom Starlink Business Kit, previously available for purchase through the Soracom IoT Store and the Soracom User Console, is now discontinued.

We sincerely thank you for your interest, and look forward to continue providing products and services that meet your needs.

In response to the end of life (EOL) of the AWS IoT 1-Click service as previously announced, we have started accepting applications for SORACOM LTE-M Button powered by AWS button device conversions and refunds. Customers who have purchased a SORACOM LTE-M Button powered by AWS button device may apply for a device conversion or refund as follows:

• Registered button devices are eligible to be converted to a SORACOM LTE-M Button for Enterprise button device
• Unregistered button devices are eligible for a refund

Please review the information below for details on applying for a device converion or refund.

Note that the following button devices do not use the AWS IoT 1-Click service and are unaffected by its EOL, and therefore are not eligible for conversion or refund:

• SORACOM LTE-M Button for Enterprise
• SORACOM LTE-M Button Plus

Device Conversions

Soracom will convert qualifying SORACOM LTE-M Button powered by AWS button devices so that they instead function as SORACOM LTE-M Button for Enterprise button devices. With this option, you will be able to continue using your existing SORACOM LTE-M Button powered by AWS button devices without physically replacing them.

Please refer to the SORACOM LTE-M Button for Enterprise User Guide (Japanese) for additional details.

Conversion requirements and conditions

• You must be located in Japan.
• The SORACOM LTE-M Button powered by AWS button device(s) you wish to convert must be registered to your Soracom account. If your button device has not been registered, please register it (Japanese) first.
• Device conversions for applications received by the 20th of each month will be processed at the beginning of the following month.
• A Soracom Platform Coupon (Japanese) equivalent to "100 yen x number of months remaining for the current button device service" will be credited to your account.
• Once the conversion has been processed, your existing button devices will be recognized as a SORACOM LTE-M Button for Enterprise button device, and basic and data usage fees for plan-KM1 will apply.
• Similarly, once the conversion has been processed, your existing button devices will begin functioning as a SORACOM LTE-M Button for Enterprise button device. Please refere to the SORACOM LTE-M Button for Enterprise User Guide (Japanese) for details on how to configure your devices accordingly.

Conversion application period

Applications for device conversions will be accepted until January 31, 2025.

Please note that applications for device conversions will not be accepted after January 31, 2025. We kindly request customers who are considering a device conversion for their SORACOM LTE-M Button powered by AWS button devices to prepare accordingly.

Conversion application process

To apply for a device conversion:

1. Sign in to the Soracom Support Site. If the "Submit a request" screen does not automatically appear, click the Submit a request button.

2. Fill in the following fields:

   • Subject and Description: Enter a short description indicating your application, such as "I would like to convert my SORACOM LTE-M Button powered by AWS button device"
   • Support Language: Select "日本語 (Japanese)"
   • Which category best describes your inquiry?: Select "SORACOM LTE-M Button powered by AWS の移行"
3. Click the checkbox to confirm that you agree to the terms and conditions listed underneath "下記の注意事項を確認して SORACOM LTE-M Button powered by AWS から SORACOM LTE-M Button for Enterprise への移行を申請する".
4. (Optional) If you have multiple SORACOM LTE-M Button powered by AWS button devices and wish to only convert some of them, click the 移行する SORACOM LTE-M Button powered by AWS を指定する checkbox, then enter the Device Serial Number (DSN) of each button device that you want to convert. The DSN can be found by opening the rear cover of the button device. If you leave this option unchecked, Soracom will convert all eligible button devices.
5. (Optional) If you have prepared a group configuration in advance according to the SORACOM LTE-M Button for Enterprise User Guide (Japanese) and would like your button devices to be assigned to this group during conversion, click the SORACOM LTE-M Button for Enterprise に移行時に使用する SIM グループ checkbox, then enter the Group ID of your group.
6. Click the checkbox to confirm that you agree to the Soracom Support Services terms and conditions, then click Submit.

Refunds

We continue to accept refunds for SORACOM LTE-M Button powered by AWS button devices that have not yet been registered to AWS IoT 1-Click. If you wish to receive a refund, please sign in to the Soracom Support Site using the Soracom account used to purchase the SORACOM LTE-M Button powered by AWS button device(s) and submit a refund request.

If you have any other questions or concerns, please contact us through the Soracom Support Site as well.

We are excited to announce a new feature for assigning and removing Soracom Cloud Camera Services (SoraCam) licenses through the Soracom User Console.

Previously, users were required to install and use the ATOM smartphone app in order to assign SoraCam licenses to applicable devices. With this update, users can now manage licenses from the User Console, making the process more convenient and streamlined.

For more details, please refer to the SoraCam Assign a license documentation (Japanese).

Soracom Funnel will end support for DataSpider Cloud through the Appresso DataSpider adapter.

DataSpider Cloud is a cloud service provided by Saison Technology Co., Ltd. (formerly Saison Information Systems). The Soracom Funnel the Appresso DataSpider adapter allows data to be be quickly and easily transferred from devices using Soracom Air Japan coverage IoT SIMs to DataSpider Cloud.

End of Support Schedule

The Appresso DataSpider adapter will be retired according to the following schedule:

Customers currently using the Appresso DataSpider adapter who wish to continue sending data to DataSpider Cloud after the above schedule will need to change their device settings to send data using a method other than Soracom Funnel.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Soracom Support. We apologize for any inconvenience caused and thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Prices for SORACOM Air plan-D (Data-only) IoT SIM cards (Nano, Micro, and Standard) will be revised as follows:

• Old price: 844.8 yen (tax included)
• New price: 850.3 yen (tax included)

The new price will take effect on April 3, 2024.

Please note that the updated price does not include shipping and handling fees.

Prices for other SIMs, including SORACOM Air plan-D (Data/SMS) and SORACOM Air plan-D D-300MB, remain unchanged.

For more information on purchasing, please click here.

We have added new features to the Pricing Calculator and SORACOM IoT Store (Japan) to improve the process of estimating and purchasing IoT SIMs and IoT devices.

New Features in the Pricing Calculator

• The contents of an estimate (such as item quantities) are now stored in the URL, allowing you to save a bookmark and reload an estimate, or share the estimate using the URL.
• After creating an estimate, you can now click the Order Items button to add items from the estimate to the SORACOM IoT Store cart, allowing you to conveniently purchase products from an estimate.

New Features in the SORACOM IoT Store

• When adding products to the cart in the SORACOM IoT Store, you can now click the 見積書を作成する button to load the selected products in the Pricing Calculator, allowing you to make an estimate for services before before making a purchase.

For more information on how to use the Pricing Calculator or how to purchase items from the SORACOM IoT Store, please refer to the following pages:

• Create an Estimate (Japanese)
• How to Order (Japanese)

As previously announced, the new Soracom Cloud Camera Services (SoraCam) Status Dashboard is now available.

• Soracom Cloud Camera Services Status Dashboard: https://status.sora-cam.com/

Starting from today, incidents and maintenance notices related to SoraCam will be posted on the new dedicated SoraCam Status Dashboard.

If you have been using the RSS feed of this Status Dashboard to receive information related to SoraCam, please make sure to update your RSS feed for the new dedicated SoraCam Status Dashboard in order to continue receiving timely updates.

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact the Soracom Support team.