Soracom, Inc. (TSE: 147A) has introduced Soracom Air RTC Gateway, a cloud-based service that enables voice calls from cellular-connected Internet of Things (IoT) devices to be routed directly to enterprise contact centers, VoIP platforms or AI-powered voice agents without requiring dedicated voice applications on the device.
The launch expands Soracom’s cloud-native IoT platform beyond connectivity and data services into voice communications, as enterprises increasingly seek to integrate AI-driven voice interactions into connected devices deployed across industrial, healthcare and mobility applications.
The new service is designed to simplify voice communication for IoT deployments, where devices such as parking payment terminals, building access systems, elevator emergency buttons, connected vehicles and medical equipment often require users to speak with a support centre or emergency operator.
According to Soracom, traditional voice deployments for IoT devices typically require individual phone number management, custom call-routing logic and additional software development to connect calls with enterprise communications platforms or AI systems. These requirements can increase deployment complexity and operational costs, particularly for large fleets of connected devices.
Soracom Air RTC Gateway instead routes calls using the identity of the device’s SIM card. The platform uses attributes such as SIM groups and device tags to determine where each call should be directed, whether to a customer service centre, an enterprise VoIP system or an AI voice assistant.
The service supports any IMS/VoLTE-compatible cellular module, allowing manufacturers to use built-in voice capabilities without installing specialised voice software on devices. Authentication is handled through the SIM, eliminating the need for separate credential management.
Voice traffic travels securely over the Soracom Air cellular network before being converted into Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) within Soracom’s cloud infrastructure. Calls can then be routed through the public internet to external VoIP providers or through a Soracom Virtual Private Gateway to enterprise communications systems, private IP PBX environments or AI-powered voice agents hosted in customer cloud environments.
The platform also supports hybrid workflows where AI systems manage initial conversations before transferring callers to human operators. According to the company, this enables organisations to provide around-the-clock voice support while reducing the workload on customer service teams.
In addition to AI-powered voice routing, Soracom said the gateway can be combined with its eSIM Profile Order service, which remotely provisions Soracom connectivity profiles to eSIM-enabled devices. Together with the company’s Virtual Private Gateway, the technology can transform corporate smartphones and connected devices into secure office extensions capable of accessing internal enterprise systems outside the workplace.
“Voice is the next layer,” said Kenta Yasukawa, Chief Technology Officer and co-founder of Soracom. “With Soracom Air RTC Gateway, a device’s built-in cellular voice becomes a managed connection that the platform routes by SIM identity to a contact center, a VoIP provider or an AI agent, with no voice application on the device.”
Soracom said the service is intended for a broad range of industries, including manufacturing, construction, agriculture, healthcare, transportation and critical infrastructure. Potential applications include remote equipment support, emergency communications from elevators and security systems, telemedicine and nurse-call services, connected vehicle assistance, AI-powered voice response systems and secure enterprise communications for mobile workforces.
