Docomo - Mobile World Live

Ericsson handles Docomo Massive MIMO deployment

Michael Carroll — Thu, 18 Dec 2025 17:00:02 +0000

Ericsson detailed progress in deploying Massive MIMO radios for NTT Docomo, a rollout it stated would boost the Japanese operator’s 5G network in areas of high-traffic and network congestion.

Deployments of the AIR 3255 Massive MIMO antenna-integrated radios began earlier this month. They cover the 4.5GHz band.

Ericsson explained the latest radios are compatible with Docomo’s existing 3.7GHz Massive MIMO equipment, a pairing it stated would boost the flexibility and reliability of the operator’s network.

Masafumi Masuda, SVP and general manager of Docomo’s RAN design department, said the AIR 3255 equipment would help it “maintain and improve network quality” at a time of growing demand.

The Ericsson equipment advances Docomo’s overall Massive MIMO rollout, the executive said.

Docomo might be seeking customer experience improvements, but Ericsson emphasised the equipment would also improve its operational metrics through reductions in power consumption and weight.

It stated the AIR 3255 equipment weighs 13kg, 20 per cent less than its previous generation. Power consumption is cut by 25 per cent and embodied CO2 footprint by 20 per cent.

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Docomo deploys Nokia autonomous network gear

Joseph Waring — Tue, 25 Nov 2025 06:42:07 +0000

Nokia secured a third contract with a Japanese operator over the past four months, with NTT Docomo opting to use the vendor’s self-organising networks (SON) platform in its multi-vendor LTE and 5G RAN.

In a statement, Nokia explained its MantaRay SON is designed to address the increasing complexity of 5G networks, with the integration into Docomo’s operations allowing planning, provisioning and verification processes to be automated. By automating routine operations, the vendor added MantaRay SON improves network quality and efficiency, while significantly reducing operational costs.

The new system also enables closed-loop operations, with configuration changes in 5G systems detected and executed automatically without human intervention, Nokia claimed. The deployment is underway.

Masafumi Masuda, GM of Docomo’s Radio Access Design Department, stated MantaRay’s open interface capabilities will strengthen its O-RAN 5G commercial network, while the advanced AI features will reduce operational costs and further improve service quality.

Nokia head of RAN Mark Atkinson suggested the system represents “a significant leap forward” in managing the complexity of 5G networks. “Together, we are shaping the future of network operations.”

Earlier this month, SoftBank Corp selected Nokia to modernise its existing network infrastructure and expand standalone (SA) 5G coverage across western Japan. In late July, Rakuten Mobile lined up the company as one of three vendor partners to deploy a SA 5G network across the country.

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Docomo makes gains on AI-boosted wireless interface

Joseph Waring — Mon, 17 Nov 2025 09:52:14 +0000

NTT Docomo conducted outdoor trials using real-time transceiver systems supported by AI technology, confirming use of AI improved throughput by up to 100 per cent compared with conventional methods.

Working with NTT, Nokia Bell Labs and SK Telecom, the operator claimed the outdoor demonstration at three locations in Yokosuka City, Japan, was a world first.

It added the results, which effectively doubled the transmission speed, marked a significant step towards practical 6G systems that combine high wireless transmission efficiency with low-power consumption.

Docomo noted the trials aimed to verify the technology can maintain stable performance in outdoor environments, where radio conditions vary greatly due to temperature, weather and obstacles.

To address fluctuations in the radio propagation environment, which can cause unstable connection quality, the companies developed and tested a technology that uses AI on the transmitting and receiving sides of a wireless interface to optimise modulation and demodulation schemes. They verified the effectiveness of the technology in indoor environments in November 2024.

Docomo said following the outdoor tests it will refine the AI technology under diverse conditions, while collaborating with partners to advance 6G standardisation and implementation.

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Docomo bottom-line hit by promotion costs

Joseph Waring — Tue, 04 Nov 2025 09:30:07 +0000

NTT Docomo registered declines in profit and its mobile business in fiscal Q2 (ending 30 September), but highlighted a year-on-year drop in mobile service revenue moderated as subscribers migrated to new rate plans.

Along with its results, the operator unveiled plans to accelerate the rollout of 5G base stations in the second half of fiscal 2025, targeting a threefold increase compared with H1. This is expected to continue into fiscal 2026.

On its earnings call Docomo CEO Yoshiaki Maeda said competitors have stepped up promotional spending, prompting it to push expenses higher than previously planned.

He added it will take more time and additional spending to regain share. “Competition has become too intense and there are segments that have become inefficient.”

Net profit in the July to September period dropped 15 per cent year-on-year to JPY164.9 billion ($1.1 billion), with the decline credited in part to higher sales promotion expenses. Operating revenue increased 1.7 per cent JPY1.5 trillion.

Mobile service revenue fell 1.6 per cent to JPY611.9 billion, with ARPU mostly stable at JPY3,960. Handset sales slipped 3.4 per cent to JPY179.3 billion.

The operator added nearly 9 million 5G subscribers from a year ago to take the total to 40.4 million at end-September.

While it said “competition intensified more than ever”, its overall mobile user base increased 1.9 per cent to 91.9 million, aided by promotions.

Smart Life sales grew 7.4 per cent to JPY323.8 billion; enterprise revenue rose 8.8 per cent to JPY117.7 billion.

Capex in the first six months of fiscal 2025 increased 38.1 per cent to JPY355.5 billion.

Meanwhile, NTT Inc unveiled plans to set up NTT Mobility in December.

The unit will be a dedicated autonomous driving company consolidating the expertise and technologies developed across the group. Focus areas include deploying nationwide and standardised operations and developing infrastructure adapted to the domestic traffic environment.

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Sony issues FeliCa security warning

Michael Carroll — Thu, 28 Aug 2025 14:53:44 +0000

A leading Japanese operator offered assurances over the security of a contactless financial service which employs Sony’s FeliCa NFC technology after the latter warned of a potential security vulnerability.

NTT Docomo employs FeliCa in its iD financial service to enable contactless payments on mobile phones, and IC and credit cards.

The operator assured customers the FeliCa silicon employed in Osaifu-Ketai digital wallet devices used in its contactless play are not affected by the vulnerability, taking the opportunity to highlight its strict security and monitoring procedures.

“We monitor the iD service daily and if we detect any fraudulent use, we will investigate it individually and take appropriate action.”

Docomo added it is working with FeliCa developer Sony and “relevant companies” to address concerns about potential tampering.

The operator responded to a Sony statement released today (28 August) regarding a potential problem on FeliCa chips shipped before 2017.

Sony explained security staff at the Information-technology Promotion Agency in Japan raised the alarm over the potential for some chips to be manipulated to reveal data stored on them or allow it to be tampered with.

It emphasised there are broader security measures in place, and it would work with relevant public and private bodies to address the concerns.

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NTT Docomo cashes in on local bank

Joseph Waring — Thu, 29 May 2025 09:27:47 +0000

NTT reached a deal for its mobile unit NTT Docomo to acquire a controlling stake in SBI Sumishin Net Bank through a tender offer, a move making it the last major Japanese operator to take a stake in a commercial bank.

Docomo aims to buy about 66 per cent of the online bank’s shares, with plans to make it a consolidated subsidiary after additional transactions.

The operator’s board today (29 May) approved a capital and business partnership, which commences on 17 July.

As part of a business alliance agreement, the companies stated they aim to develop next-generation financial services in the asset management, security tokens and insurance segments.

Operators in the country have expanded into financial services over the past ten years, with Docomo’s rivals all taking stakes in banks.

In 2023 Docomo took a 49 per cent stake online brokerage house Monex.

Counterpoint Research director Marc Einstein told Mobile World Live Docomo needs to do something to stay competitive and the move opens the door to offer Web 3.0 services including NFTs and cryptocurrencies.

Rival KDDI acquired a 22 per cent stake in au Jibun Bank from Mitsubishi UFG Bank in October 2024, making it a wholly-owned subsidiary. The operator launched an online bank in partnership with Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ in 2009.

SoftBank Corp, through its subsidiary LY Corp, owns a majority stake in PayPay Bank. Last month it joined Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group to offer digital banking services.

Rakuten Mobile parent Rakuten Group has a dedicated banking unit.

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Lynk Global, Docomo Pacific cleared for D2D shift

Michael Carroll — Thu, 01 May 2025 09:34:49 +0000

Lynk Global received clearance from the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to offer direct-to-device (D2D) satellite connectivity to various of the nation’s overseas territories through a partnership with Docomo Pacific.

The FCC cleared Lynk Global to provide D2D connectivity in the US territories of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands. The move required an amendment to the satellite company’s original operating licence issued in 2022.

Lynk Global EVP and chief global affairs officer Amy Mehlman thanked the FCC “for quickly granting our licence modification”, which builds on its position as the first company in the world to be authorised to provide “international satellite D2D service”.

Mehlman explained the modification enables Lynk Global to “launch commercial services to connect this critical area within the US with our partner Docomo Pacific”.

Lynk Global stated the FCC’s approval of the modified licence “demonstrates our progress on our strategic roadmap”.

The clearance means Lynk Global and Docomo Pacific can “provide services in parts of the country that are underserved or out of reach from conventional mobile networks”, it added.

Japanese operator NTT Docomo acquired Guam Cellular and Paging and Guam Wireless Telephone Company to form the Pacific business almost 20 years ago.

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NTT, Docomo, NEC make high-capacity backhaul gains

Joseph Waring — Tue, 25 Mar 2025 09:11:17 +0000

NTT, its mobile unit Docomo and NEC claim to have demonstrated a record bit rate of 140Gb/s in a real-time bidirectional wireless transmission using mmWave spectrum, enabling the construction of flexible backhaul networks using fibre and wireless connections.

Using mmWave bands between 71GHz and 86GHz, the trio achieved a bit rate they said is more than twice the speed of conventional technology, adding the demo will help pave the way for high-capacity wireless transmission to meet future demand anticipated in the 2030s, they explained in a statement.

The companies demonstrated orbital angular momentum (OAM) mode multiplexing transmission technology can increase the capacity of wireless transmission, while OAM-mode control technology can expand distances by using reflected paths.

Docomo conducted experiments on reflection-based transmissions, using OAM-mode inverse-reception technology for transmissions via reflections off surfaces such as walls.

NEC developed an OAM-mode multiplexing transmission system capable of real-time transmission at a maximum rate of 70Gb/s in each direction; NTT created a circuit that doubles the transmission bandwidth and an OAM-mode control technology to support long-distance transmission and reflection scenarios.

Transmissions over 100Gb/s enable optical fibre and wireless connections for communication lines between fixed stations, facilitating the construction of flexible backhaul networks, wireless connections with mobile base stations during events and temporary lines during disasters, the statement noted.

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OREX SAI seals deals with StarHub, Globe, HPE

Joseph Waring — Mon, 03 Mar 2025 06:32:17 +0000

LIVE FROM MWC25 BARCELONA: OREX SAI, a JV between NTT Docomo and NEC, unveiled three partnerships involving its open RAN offering, lining up deals with StarHub in Singapore, Globe Telecom in the Philippines and working with HPE on zero-touch automation.

Its MoU with StarHub covers integrating the venture’s 5G open RAN ecosystem experience (OREX) equipment into the operator’s cloud networks.

StarHub CTO Ayush Sharma noted the deal enables it to expand enterprise services across Singapore and the ASEAN region.

Docomo added it is working to maximise the potential of operator’s cloud-based network.

OREX SAI also will partner with Globe Telecom to conduct an open RAN demonstration in preparation for a field trial.

Globe Telecom head of service planning and engineering Joel Agustin stated it will explore the potential of open RAN and will focus on gaining insight and evaluating how the technology aligns with its future needs.

The JV’s tie-up with HPE will integrate its RAN automation and the OREX service management and orchestration platform in a multi-vendor environment with the aim to reduce costs by enabling zero-touch provisioning.

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Docomo hails early 6G milestone

Chris Donkin — Thu, 19 Dec 2024 11:53:51 +0000

Japanese operator NTT Docomo heralded the beginnings of 6G, describing the approval of a 6G RAN level study item at a recent 3GPP group meeting as a significant milestone towards the next generation mobile technology.

The item, agreed at a 3GPP TSG-RAN meeting in Madrid last week, was co-signed by 56 companies including players from a number of markets.

Docomo noted the study item involved interacting with the ITU on 6G technical performance requirements.

Looking forward, the operator noted “deployment scenarios, requirements and potential directions of 6G radio access technologies will be further identified and investigated in 3GPP”.

It added work here involved leaders from a number of diverse countries and regions “underscoring the shared dedication of 3GPP and the broader telecommunications sector to forge a global interoperable 6G standard”.

Docomo noted the upcoming network generation was expected to be a “critical enabler” of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals “by advancing network capabilities to drive innovation”.

Backing
In the statement released by Docomo a number of other operator executives voiced support for 6G standardisation efforts.

China Mobile CTO Tongqing Gao noted progress should be “driven by real requirements from global industry, and should not be aggressive and hasty”.

“China Mobile eagerly anticipates cooperating with industrial partners to foster joint innovation, expedite the integration of information services across various sectors, and establish a robust communication network foundation”.

SKT VP and head of infra tech office Yu Takki stated the collaboration in this area “marks a significant first step in shaping the future of the global telecommunications industry”.

Verizon CTO Yago Tenorio added: “A unified global technology standard is essential for unlocking the full potential of 6G, enabling seamless and secure connectivity, and fostering an inclusive digital society. By working together with industry partners, we can achieve ambitious global objectives and ensure that the benefits of next-generation connectivity are accessible to all.”

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Japan operators unite on disaster response

Joseph Waring — Wed, 18 Dec 2024 09:43:07 +0000

Japan’s four telecoms groups unveiled a new framework designed to improve cooperation in the event of major disasters by sharing key assets to ensure the country’s communication networks are restored quickly.

The framework, which went into effect 1 December, adds SoftBank Corp and Rakuten Mobile to the existing Connect to Change project led by NTT Group and KDDI.

The move is aimed at speeding up the restoration of mobile base station backhaul links in disaster-affected areas. The companies will share assets such as base station-equipped ships, network facilities, storage sites and refuelling stations, a joint statement noted.

NTT Group and KDDI previously developed a system for using their cable-laying ships to transport relief supplies and deploy ship-based base stations.

The mobile and fixed-line operators also agreed to share crucial information needed to assess damage and restore networks, including identifying issues in fixed-line networks that disrupt networks at critical locations such as municipal facilities and hospitals.

NTT Group is made up of NTT Corp, NTT East, NTT West, NTT Docomo and NTT Communications.

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Docomo Ventures invests in neutral host player dhost

Joseph Waring — Thu, 29 Aug 2024 08:01:57 +0000

NTT Docomo’s venture arm invested an undisclosed amount in dhost Global, a neutral host service provider with operations in Southeast Asia, to support its expansion and development of services delivering coverage to large indoor facilities.

Dhost installs indoor antenna equipment for mobile operators across the region, where it noted there is a high demand for deploying indoor communication networks, alongside operating and maintaining the equipment for customers.

Among its deployments, the company claims to own the largest number of indoor equipment and installation locations in Indonesia. Its subsidiary in that country acquired 850 indoor infrastructure sharing sites from Telekomsel in July and 633 sites from Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison in early 2023.

It also has subsidiaries in Singapore and the Philippines.

The funding was made by NTT Docomo Ventures and follows an investment in Japan-based Sofia, a maker of smart rings, in June.

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NTT Docomo, D-Wave boost network with quantum pilots

Mike Robuck — Wed, 21 Aug 2024 07:11:27 +0000

US-based D-Wave Quantum and NTT Docomo claimed quantum optimisation pilots increased the operator’s mobile network performance by reducing paging signals by 15 per cent during peak calling periods, a move the companies stated could deliver increased efficiencies and lower infrastructure costs.

NTT Docomo tested D-Wave’s hybrid-quantum technology to reduce congestion at base stations by decreasing paging signals at the busiest times.

The hybrid-quantum technology was used to optimise base station tracking areas which collectively send paging signals and process extensive historical data on device movements between stations.

NTT Docomo and D-Wave stated it allows the operator to predict future movement patterns, while determining the best combination of base stations to re-establish connections as devices move between tracking areas.

D-Wave stated its hybrid solver completed a task in 40 seconds compared with 27 hours for a general-purpose system.

In addition to the reduction in paging signals, the quantum technology allowed approximately 1.2-times more terminals to be connected during periods of high-call volume.

Takatoshi Okagawa, director of research and development strategy at NTT Docomo, stated its “quantum optimisation strategy will further refine network efficiency, allowing us to maintain high-quality service without additional infrastructure investments as network traffic increases”.

The operator plans to deploy the quantum computing technology in branch offices across Japan.

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Docomo boosts marketing spend to target youth segment

Joseph Waring — Wed, 07 Aug 2024 10:32:52 +0000

NTT Docomo increased marketing outlay in fiscal Q1 2024 (calendar Q2) to target younger customers, a segment where it has traditionally been weak, with much of the spending allocated to discounts on handsets.

CFO Keita Kobayashi said on an earnings call the company is on track and monitoring competitors’ products to determine how it invests to boost net additions.

He acknowledged Docomo previously “focused so much on profit and really reduced our marketing expenses”.

Kobayashi does not expect mobile tariffs to start rising anytime soon, as its packages are generally priced higher than the competition, but asked if Docomo “can we allow the competition to chip away” at its customer base.

The operator’s smart services, covering payments and a range of digital services, was the sole driver of growth in the quarter.

Mobile service revenue fell 2.4 per cent year-on-year to JPY620.9 billion ($4.2 billion), with ARPU flat at JPY3,910.

The operator added 9.2 million 5G subscribers to end June with 31.6 million.

Total mobile subscribers rose 2.5 per cent to 90.1 million.

Enterprise revenue declined 1.7 per cent to JPY430.3 billion, Smart Life rose 12.3 per cent to JPY288.6 billion, and Equipment 6.1 per cent to JPY162.6 billion.

Net profit dropped 5.1 per cent to JPY194.9 billion, with operating revenue flat at JPY1.5 trillion.

Capex was steady at JPY120 billion.

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Docomo to offer fastest SA 5G speeds in Japan

Joseph Waring — Wed, 31 Jul 2024 08:43:34 +0000

NTT Docomo teased plans to commercially deploy New Radio dual connectivity technology using three spectrum bands to deliver what it claims will be the fastest downlink rates in Japan, up to 6.6Gb/s, using standalone (SA) 5G architecture.

In a statement, Japan’s largest operator explained the feature, making use of two sub-6GHz bands (3.7GHz and 4.5GHz) and mmWave (28GHz band), will initially be offered in specific zones within the SA coverage areas in Tokyo and Kanagawa prefecture starting tomorrow (1 August), with plans to expand the reach.

Docomo offers SA as an optional 5G service for certain smartphones and other mobile devices under a 5G service contract, with users requiring a SA subscription, a compatible device and a compatible SIM card. Services must be used within a SA coverage area.

Competing on quality
Marc Einstein, chief analyst at research company ITR, told Mobile World Live Docomo can no longer compete on price, especially given Rakuten Mobile remains aggressive and is growing, so the market leader is trying to compete on quality.

“They have wanted to deploy mmWave for a long time, and finally feel they have the right devices to widely deploy the service,” he added.

The company cautioned the stated speed is the maximum for sending and receiving under an SA 5G contract and do not represent actual speeds, which vary based on the communication environment and network congestion.

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Docomo, partners invest $100M in HAPS supplier

Joseph Waring — Mon, 03 Jun 2024 09:08:31 +0000

A consortium of Japanese organisations led by NTT Docomo earmarked $100 million to Airbus solar-powered high-altitude platform stations subsidiary Aalto HAPS, targeting a launch of connectivity and earth observation services in Japan and other markets in 2026.

The investment was made through the consortium’s investment vehicle HAPS Japan and kicks off a strategic alliance to commercialise the services using HAPS in Japan and across Asia, Docomo explained in a statement.

Space Compass, Mizuho Bank and the Development Bank of Japan also are part of the consortium.

Docomo added Aalto HAPS’ Zephyr aircraft can fly in the stratosphere for months at a time, operating as a multi-function tower in the sky to deliver low-latency direct-to-device 5G connectivity. Using Airbus’ earth observation service Strat-Observer, the craft can also carry out a range of monitoring, tracking, sensing and detection applications.

Aalto HAPS CEO Samer Halawi noted the investment comes as it moves into the next phase of development, including instigating several customer missions over the coming year, establishing launch and landing sites for Zephyr, and advancing its certification process.

Docomo CTO Takaaki Sato said the HAPS-based non-terrestrial network (NTN) technology combines “unique cutting-edge engineering with economics that are aligned to expand coverage to rural and remote areas”.

Shigehiro Hori, co-CEO of Space Compass, stated Japan’s many remote islands and mountainous areas are uneconomical to connect, adding its strategic relationship with Aalto HAPS would help it “build a new telecommunications infrastructure in these areas and during an era of population decline”.

Reaction
Marc Einstein, chief analyst at research company ITR, told Mobile World Live it is a bold move by Docomo, which has selected HAPS as a key NTN technology whereas most operators including domestic rivals are more focused on satellite connectivity.

“While the economics of HAPS remain uncertain, the technology does have some advantages over satellites as the aircraft fly lower to the ground, provide higher bandwidth speeds and can more easily target specific areas.”

Einstein added the technology will be welcome in Japan as 5G coverage even in central Tokyo often “leaves much to be desired, let alone in rural areas”, noting mountains cover 80 per cent of Japan’s landmass.

In December 2023, Japan’s National Institute of Information and Communications Technology selected Docomo, NTT, Space Compass and Sky Perfect JSAT to develop direct-to-device mobile services using HAPS.

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Docomo taps hydroelectricity to power base stations

Joseph Waring — Fri, 31 May 2024 09:13:07 +0000

NTT Docomo demonstrated a novel approach to powering base stations using a hydroelectric system and a jet turbine, with the operator targeting use of the system to generate low-cost, green energy by March 2025.

The initiative aims to use renewable hydropower in places where solar panels are not practical.

A jet turbine generates electricity using a nozzle to emit a stream of water flowing in an irrigation canal to drive the turbine’s rotation in the opposite direction, Docomo explained in a statement.

While conventional hydroelectric systems use a separate nozzle and turbine, the new device combines both components. The design was developed by professor Yukihiro Shimatani of the Prefectural University of Kumamoto, Japan.

The hydropower system also collects data on electric current, voltage and power, as well as water flow and pressure, which are transmitted to Docomo’s energy management system platform to monitor and control power going to a base station.

In 2022, Docomo set the target of achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions from its operations by 2030. It also targets its entire supply chain meeting that goal by 2040.

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Docomo, partners claim HAPS first in 38GHz band

Joseph Waring — Tue, 28 May 2024 08:17:02 +0000

Japan’s NTT Docomo and its high-altitude platform stations (HAPS) partners advanced their goal of delivering 5G service from the stratosphere, trialling a non-terrestrial network using the New Radio (NR) standard in the 38GHz band.

The operator, joined by Sky Perfect JSAT, the National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT) and Panasonic, set up an aerial relay backhaul between a small aircraft, flying at altitude of about 4km, and three ground stations, simulating the eventual use of HAPS.

In a statement, Docomo noted the demo achieved multiple backhaul lines consisting of aerial relays, a breakthrough the consortium claimed was a world first, adding the trial demonstrated the practical application of 5G feeder links and backhaul lines for HAPS.

A Cessna aircraft was equipped with newly developed communication equipment which is expected to be deployed in HAPS. In addition, a lens-type antenna with an auto-tracking function was used as the HAPS ground station.

Last December, NICT selected four local companies, including Docomo and Sky Perfect JSAT, to develop direct-to-device mobile services using HAPS.

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Japan’s Docomo embarks on new global push

Joseph Waring — Fri, 10 May 2024 08:28:32 +0000

Japan’s largest operator NTT Docomo unveiled plans to set up a consumer service subsidiary to drive overseas growth.

In a statement, the company explained NTT Docomo Global will work with local partners to deliver operator-enabling services, covering open RAN and global space-based non-terrestrial networks, and application services, such as digital retail and finance offerings.

On an earnings call, CEO Motoyuki Ii (pictured, left) noted it will create a new company in July combining group-wide assets, including NTT Digital and its OREX joint venture with NEC.

In the initial phase, the new company will focus on Southeast Asia and North America, then look to Europe and the Middle East. In addition, its existing connected-services business will be expanded globally to meet customer needs.

Docomo Global plans to invest in companies with strong distribution channels and brand power in local markets to develop a diverse portfolio, the statement added.

Outlook
The operator also reported fiscal Q4 (ending 30 March) results today (10 May), offering a conservative outlook for fiscal 2024: net profit stable at JPY799 billion ($5.1 billion) and operating revenue up 1.7 per cent to JPY6.24 trillion. Revenue for its consumer business, covering mobile and Smart Life, is expected to be flat.

Ii explained due to price competition in the low-volume segment it is “fighting over” customers and failed to reach a target for ARPU growth in the quarter.

He added ARPU continued to fall as a result of rapid uptake of new low-cost plans, noting the pace of the ARPU decline has slowed.

Mobile service revenue in fiscal Q4 fell 2.8 per cent to JPY626.3 billion. ARPU slid 2.2 per cent to JPY3,930, declining in 10 of the last 13 quarters.

It added nearly 10 million 5G customers year-on-year to end March with 30 million, or 41.2 per cent of its 72.9 million total subscribers.

Equipment sales rose 1.4 per cent to JPY208 billion. Smart Life revenue dropped 3.9 per cent to JPY294.9 billion; enterprise sales increased 4.5 per cent to JPY533 billion.

Net profit jumped 30.5 per cent to JPY167.6 billion, driven in part by growth in enterprise. Operating revenue rose 10 per cent to JPY441.6 billion.

Full-year capex was flat at JPY705 billion and forecast to rise 6.2 per cent in fiscal 2024 to JPY749 billion.

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Docomo, partners clock 100Gb/s speeds in sub-terahertz tests

Joseph Waring — Thu, 11 Apr 2024 08:58:02 +0000

NTT Docomo, its parent, NEC and Fujitsu completed verification tests using sub-terahertz bands, achieving data transmission speeds of 100Gb/s, which they noted is 20-times faster than the peak rates of current 5G networks.

In a joint statement, the companies highlighted the ultra-high-speed rate was recorded in an outdoor test on the 100GHz band and indoors using 300GHz spectrum.

Docomo said it developed wireless transmission equipment capable of transmitting data rates equivalent to 100Gb/s over 100 metres, while NTT’s wireless device, using wideband mixers, was able to achieve the same result in the 300GHz band.

NEC contributed a multi-element active phased array antenna, made up of more than 100 antenna elements; Fujitsu provided a high-output, high-efficiency signal amplifier to extend range and reduce power consumption in sub-terahertz bands.

The statement noted high-capacity wireless communication is expected to be achieved by tapping the abundant bandwidth available in the sub-terahertz band from 100GHz to 300GHz. But compared with 28GHz and other mmWave bands used in today’s 5G networks, the higher frequencies of the sub-terahertz band will require different wireless devices that are now being developed.

The four companies started R&D on sub-terahertz equipment in 2021 to prepare for the 6G era. The following year, Docomo outlined plans to run experimental trials with Nokia.

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Docomo CEO pushes back ARPU recovery

Joseph Waring — Thu, 08 Feb 2024 09:17:39 +0000

NTT Docomo CEO Motoyuki Ii predicted mobile ARPU would continue to decline in the current fiscal year (ending 31 March), with a recovery not coming until the next.

In late calendar 2022, Docomo forecast an ARPU turnaround by end-March 2023. On an earnings call, Ii noted a recovery in voice had been slow after the Covid-19 (coronavirus) pandemic.

He highlighted a year-on-year increase in operating profit in fiscal Q3 2023 (the period to end-December 2023), driven by growth in consumer and enterprise businesses which outweighed a decline in the Smart life segment.

The operator added 9 million 5G subscribers from the end of calendar 2022 to take the count to 27.2 million at the end of calendar 2023, accounting for 30.5 per cent of its total, which rose 3 per cent to 89.2 million.

Net profit in fiscal Q3 was flat at JPY223.1 billion ($1.5 billion) and operating revenue rose 3.1 per cent to JPY1.6 trillion.

Mobile service revenue fell 2.3 per cent to JPY638.1 billion, with ARPU declining at a similar rate to JPY3,990.

Equipment sales grew 35.3 per cent to JPY237.5 billion.

Its enterprise business grew 4.1 per cent to JPY469.3 billion and Smart Life sales 2.7 per cent to JPY274.9 billion.

Capex in the first nine months of the fiscal year declined 6.7 per cent to JPY418.5 billion.

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Docomo taps EVs to power base stations

Joseph Waring — Fri, 12 Jan 2024 09:08:26 +0000

Japan-based NTT Docomo started a disaster recovery demonstration to determine the effectiveness of using corporate electric vehicles (EVs) to quickly power downed base stations.

In a statement, Docomo noted the experiment aims to enhance its disaster response by using EVs, which are expected to become more common corporate assets.

“The objective is to efficiently dispatch optimally located and charged EVs” to base station sites.

Docomo’s trial runs from today (12 January) to 30 June and will use its energy management system (EMS), parent NTT’s AI-based vehicle dispatch planning platform and real-time data generated by EVs including location and stored power, collected by Nippon Car Solutions.

The EMS monitors the charge status of base stations, formulates power supply plans and controls this after connecting EVs.

During power outages, tradition base stations use back up batteries to restart operations for a limited time and switch to generators for extended blackouts.

NTT is a member of the Climate Group’s EV100 initiative and the demonstration is part of the group’s efforts.

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Docomo joins Japanese HAPS initiative

Joseph Waring — Thu, 07 Dec 2023 09:26:28 +0000

Japan’s National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT) selected four local companies including NTT Docomo and Space Compass to develop direct-to-device mobile services using high-altitude platform stations (HAPS).

The companies jointly stated research on high-speed, high-capacity technology and TDD communication aims to expand the business scope and application of HAPS services as the industry prepares for 6G.

NTT and Sky Perfect JSAT will join a project led by Space Compass that aims to launch HAPS services in fiscal 2025 (the period commencing on 1 April 2024), and will define network service requirements and evaluate demonstrations.

Docomo will develop ground base stations and HAPS-equipped sites for mobile communications, with a focus on maximising service-link efficiency and capacity, while NTT will provide control technology for the HAPS feeder link.

Sky Perfect JSAT plans to deliver services over a space-based non-terrestrial network by connecting satellites and HAPS networks to multi-terrestrial networks. It will develop alternative feeder link methods including satellite backhaul and improve connection rates through the connection of ground gateway stations.

The undertaking is part of an NICT project named Beyond 5G, which aims to deliver nationwide connectivity regardless of location.

AI & Cloud

Project Kuiper, AWS forge private network ties

By Mike Robuck

All four companies are currently working on a space-based RAN, with HAPS serving as key component to support ultra-wide mobile communication services over air, sea and space.

Last week, Project Kuiper signed a deal with NTT, NTT Docomo, NTT Com and SKY Perfect JSAT for the provision of broadband services via its satellite network to Japanese enterprises and government.

In early 2022, Docomo, Airbus and Sky Perfect JSAT commenced a feasibility study on the potential of partnering on HAPS connectivity.

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Enterprise 5G: Interview with Takehiro Nakamura, NTT Docomo

Mobile World Live — Fri, 17 Nov 2023 11:28:54 +0000

During our Unwrapped Digital Event week, Justin Springham interviewed Takehiro Nakamura, Chief Standardisation Officer, NTT Docomo on Fuelling the 5G enterprise opportunity.

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NTT Docomo banks on mmWave for smart manufacturing

Mike Robuck — Tue, 14 Nov 2023 11:52:51 +0000

LIVE FROM MWL UNWRAPPED: NTT Docomo chief standardisation officer Takehiro Nakamura highlighted the operator has deployed private 5G networks across smart factories, spurred by the use of mmWave spectrum.

He stated the low-latency and high data rate of mmWave was ideal for smart factory use cases, which in turn enabled its customers to reduce the cost of their services while improving revenue.

“We are already conducting many POCs [tests] with our partners for smart factories and smart manufacturing,” he said during Mobile World Live’s Unwrapped online event, adding in its home market of Japan it had “many partners” for POCs in the segment with some now extended to formal businesses.

Nakamura noted mmWave has been available in the 28GHz band ever since 5G was launched in Japan.

In addition to smart factories, he stated private 5G networks will also find traction across other verticals such as agriculture, transportation, healthcare and medical industries.

Nakamura added with 3GPP’s Release 15, enhanced mobile broadband can provide 4G-based private network services such as remote surveillance, education and training. But 5G elements such as ultra-reliable low latency communications and time sensitive networking functionalities will upgrade current services while enabling new ones.

“We can extend our services and the business so that our customers will use the new features to upgrade service applications in some kind of collaborative manner,” he said.

The post NTT Docomo banks on mmWave for smart manufacturing appeared first on Mobile World Live.

Japan weighs NTT stake sale

Hana Anandira — Mon, 07 Aug 2023 11:00:38 +0000

The Japanese government reportedly reaffirmed plans to sell its 34 per cent stake in NTT, as it continues to explore ways to raise cash for its spending on defence.

Reuters reported a member of Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party Akira Amari announced that selling its NTT shares “over the course of decades” would help it secure a stable source of funding to cover the hike in defence spending.

Amari is overseeing a special committee tasked with exploring strategies to finance a hike in military expenditure without raising taxes.

Nikkei Asia also reported last month that fellow member of the party and special committee Koichi Hagiuda is considering a full privatisation of the company, and the news outlet stated the committee has issued a package of defence funding proposals to the government.

The proposals include plans to sell state-owned shares in companies, with a focus on NTT.

NTT’s investor relations disclosure shows the government stake is named under the Ministry of Finance, which owns a controlling 34.3 per cent stake of all outstanding shares as of March.

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Docomo highlights security demands for industrial 5G

Hana Anandira — Tue, 11 Jul 2023 16:01:36 +0000

LIVE FROM GSMA M360 MOBILE SECURITY AND INDUSTRIES, LONDON: Malla Reddy Sama, manager of 3GPP standardisation at Docomo Euro-Labs (pictured), addressed the security requirements for 5G deployments in industrial settings, stressing the importance of different authentication mechanisms for mobile networks to prevent threats.

Sama pointed to the possible isolation of a network as one of the main security features to mitigate cyberattacks. He claimed this can be done by “physically isolating the network” and implementing strict network perimeter protection and access control, in turn bolstering the protection of data flows.

Further, he highlighted the need for different authentication methods specific to the 5G network that is being deployed to “provide flexibility” based on specific industry needs and use cases to identify security measures.

During a presentation, Sama also pointed to the findings of a study by the 5G Alliance for Connected Industries and Automation, an association of which Docomo’s research arm is a member, and noted standardised security requirements for Operational Technology (OT) networks are crucial to bridge industry sectors which often operate in silos.

“If we look at the MNOs, sometimes it looks like we have different worlds as the MNOs’ goal is to provide services to end-users,” the executive said, adding that this will come with different security and architecture requirements for OT.

“This is why we need one platform to bring the industry together to discuss and evaluate the security aspect,” he added.

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NTT cuts vRAN power consumption

Joseph Waring — Wed, 24 May 2023 09:00:04 +0000

NTT developed power-saving technologies claimed to reduce the energy consumption of virtualised base stations by up to 46 per cent compared with conventional sites, citing potential boosts for carbon reduction goals.

The Japanese company stated the technologies control processing of software-based sites to use the minimum computing resources needed for a specific workload.

Tools including photonics-electronics convergence technologies are designed to improve inefficient software processing, in turn cutting power consumption, particularly at low-loads.

NTT stated this is achieved without degrading performance.

It added the development is in line with its Innovative Optical and Wireless Network concept for networks and information processing infrastructure.

It aims to licence the power-saving technologies to vendors.

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NTT connects airport in 5G, TETRA tie-up

Joseph Waring — Fri, 19 May 2023 08:39:40 +0000

NTT East partnered with Nippon Airport Radio Services to interconnect the operator’s 5G service with the wireless infrastructure at Narita International Airport, claiming a breakthrough in integrated mission-critical communication.

In a statement, parent NTT noted the companies used a Motorola Solutions system to integrate voice communication between 5G-enabled handsets equipped with a push-to-talk application and terrestrial trunked radio (TETRA) devices in the airport’s ramp area.

Trials are underway.

NTT noted interoperability between the systems is an important step, enabling airport staff to carry a single device instead of many.

The operator explained the Motorola and TETRA systems consist of dedicated radio waves and closed networks, and are not affected by failures or congestion of mobile networks.

NTT East and Nippon Airport Radio Services plan to promote the deployment of 5G at other airports, along with developing new push-to-talk use cases.

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Docomo expects 5G bump

Joseph Waring — Fri, 12 May 2023 09:53:16 +0000

NTT Docomo projected profitability of its consumer segment to return to growth in fiscal 2024 (ending 31 March 2024), driven by rising 5G users and adoption of high-tier data plans.

On an earnings call, CEO Motoyuki Ii stated Docomo aims to reverse the downward trend in mobile profit through 5G migration and cost-efficiency efforts.

Docomo expects mobile revenue to stabilise in fiscal 2024 at JPY3.4 trillion ($25.2 billion) and operating revenue to increase 1.8 per cent to JPY617 billion.

It forecast 5G subscribers to increase to 28.2 million year-on-year from 20.6 million at the end of fiscal 2023.

Ii said Docomo’s enterprise and Smart Life units are both growth drivers and exceeded its annual guidance, offsetting declines in mobile.

Net profit in fiscal Q4 2023 declined 1.6 per cent to JPY128.4 billion and operating revenue grew 8.3 per cent to JPY1.6 trillion.

Mobile service revenue fell 1.4 per cent JPY644.5 billion.

Aggregate ARPU declined 2.1 per cent to JPY4,640.

Equipment sales rose 11.3 per cent to JPY205.2 billion.

Total mobile subscribers rose 3.2 per cent to 87.5 million, with LTE down 3.6 million to 57.8 million.

Smart Life revenue increased grew 32.7 per cent to JPY316.1 billion and enterprise 7.8 per cent to JPY509.9 billion.

Full-year capex was flat at JPY706.3 billion and is forecast to increase 3.1 per cent to JPY728 billion in fiscal 2024.

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