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.