(Telecompaper) Japanese mobile operator Softbank has sold for an undisclosed amount two-thirds of eAccess, the carrier it acquired for JPY 180 billion at the start of the year. The consortium of eleven buyers comprises Alcatel-Lucent, Ericsson, Comverse, Samsung, Nokia Siemens Networks, Orix and five Japanese property leasing companies. EAccess operates Japan's smaller eMobile service and sells capacity on its network to MVNOs. Softbank said that the transaction leaving it 33.29 percent of eAccess will give the latter greater independence and will facilitate its continued expansion. Softbank said the impact of the sale on its earnings is negligible.