Nokia bets big on 5G with NTT Docomo partnersh

Nokia bets big on 5G with NTT Docomo partnership


Will collaborate on 5G research and proof of concept system

By Carly Page

Thu May 08 2014, 10:46




























Mobile spectrum antenna


NOKIA ANNOUNCED on Thursday that it has joined forces with Japanese operator NTT Docomo, with the two firms set to collaborate on 5G research.

Nokia's Network Services (NSN) arm said that along with NTT Docomo it will develop a 5G proof of concept (PoC) system, which follows a memorandum of understanding signed by the two companies in January. Previously, NSN has collaborated with the Japanese mobile operator on research surrounding 3G and LTE technologies.

Nokia said that the 5G research aims to ensure that future 5G networks meet the demands of operators, by guaranteeing cell-edge rates in excess of 100Mbps and reducing latency by a factor of 10, as the firm looks to aid the "transition towards higher bandwidths and super-fast mobile broadband".

To do so, Nokia said the two firms will research the future of radio access systems, and will initially look at exploring the potential of millimetre wave technology on the 70GHz spectrum band.

Hossein Moiin, EVP and CTO of Nokia Networks said, "Expanding our cooperation with NTT DOCOMO on 5G radio technology is an important step towards defining future mobile networks.

"Future wireless networks will interconnect not just humans but also machines and objects, creating a vibrant overlay of virtual and physical worlds with a huge variety of use cases. Together with the industry, we need to make sure that 5G technology offers the right tenets to serve these use cases flexibly and profitably."

NTT Docomo CTO Dr Zeizo Onoe added, "We chose Nokia as our partner for the 5G research project based on its clear vision as well as its extensive mobile broadband experience and technology leadership."

In a separate announcement, NTT Docomo announced that, along with NSN, it will also be conducting 5G trials with Alcatel-Lucent, Ericsson, Fujitsu, NEC and Samsung.

Huawei is also betting big on 5G, having announced last year that it will pump $600m into research and development of the technology. µ


http://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/news/2343...artnership