Akihabara News (Tokyo) — As it enters the 5G world, NTT Docomo is increasingly looking across the Tsushima Strait for a little help from its friends; expanded partnerships with SK Telecom and Samsung Electronics have been announced in rapid succession.
With SK Telecom, Docomo has agreed to jointly work on 5G commercial services, with specific focus on millimeter-wave utilization, energy-efficient networks, and Open Radio Access Networks (O-RAN).
The two firms will also work together on metaverse-related projects such as joint production of virtual content (including 3D models, volumetric videos, and virtual cities), as well as explore the the possibility of a longterm connection of their two platforms.
Docomo President and CEO Motoyuki Ii commented that “by combining our technological capabilities and the know-how we have cultivated across years of experience, we hope to create new services that will allow customers around the world to experience new forms of excitement. We look forward to working with SK Telecom to develop the businesses of both companies.”
As for Samsung, they are building upon their 5G partnership first announced in March 2021 by having the Korean giant supply a variety of 5G radios to support Docomo’s O-RAN expansion.
These Samsung radios are expected to enable Docomo to build a more versatile 5G network for diversifying its services to consumers and businesses.
The disclosure from the two companies did not specify what new services Docomo has in mind for the Japanese market. However, Docomo has recently committed to a ¥600 billion (US$4 billion) investment over the next five years in Web3 infrastructure.
Recent Metaverse Related Articles
