KDDI achieves 3.6 Gbps outdoor transmission in 7 GHz 6G candidate band
JAPAN 06:12

KDDI achieves 3.6 Gbps outdoor transmission in 7 GHz 6G candidate band

KDDI and KDDI Research have achieved a downlink speed of 3.6 Gbps in an outdoor field trial using the 7 GHz band, which is being considered as a potential spectrum band for 6G. The trial, conducted with Samsung Research at Samsung Electronics' R&D campus in Seoul, used a base station incorporating Extreme Massive MIMO technology with more than 1,000 antenna elements. The companies combined this with 1024QAM modulation over 100 MHz of spectrum.

Mitsui Fudosan, NTT Docomo form telecom and property alliance
JAPAN 05:58

Mitsui Fudosan, NTT Docomo form telecom and property alliance

Mitsui Fudosan, NTT Docomo and Mitsui Fudosan Network Innovation have signed a capital and business alliance to expand mobile infrastructure sharing in urban properties and develop new telecom services. Under the agreement, Docomo will subscribe to a third-party share issue by Mitsui Fudosan Network Innovation, with the investment scheduled for 30 September. The three companies will establish a longer-term partnership covering the development and operation of shared mobile infrastructure.

9Rayz deploys 1 Gbps laser link across Auckland Harbour
NEW ZEALAND 05:56

9Rayz deploys 1 Gbps laser link across Auckland Harbour

Auckland telecom company 9Rayz has deployed a 1 Gbps free-space optical link across Waitemata Harbour, demonstrating the potential for laser-based communications to provide an alternative or backup to fibre in locations where physical cabling is difficult or vulnerable. The 4.5km link connects the University of Auckland with Takarunga/Mount Victoria in Devonport and uses equipment developed by Indian optical communications company Nav Wireless Technologies. 

Ericsson and Uni of Tokyo explore connectivity and AI scenarios for 2035
JAPAN 05:40

Ericsson and Uni of Tokyo explore connectivity and AI scenarios for 2035

Ericsson Japan has launched an initiative with the University of Tokyo to examine how connectivity and AI could contribute to Japan's response to demographic change, social infrastructure challenges and economic development through to around 2035. The initiative, called "Enter New Horizons", began with a two-day co-creation workshop in Tokyo on 9-10 July involving Ericsson Japan employees and University of Tokyo students. Participants developed future scenarios across manufacturing, infrastructure and energ

ST Engineering iDirect demonstrates multi-waveform 5G NR-NTN modem
GLOBAL 05:36

ST Engineering iDirect demonstrates multi-waveform 5G NR-NTN modem

ST Engineering iDirect has demonstrated a pilot version of its INT3000 modem, a user equipment device designed to support 5G New Radio Non-Terrestrial Network (NR-NTN) and DVB-S2X/MRC waveforms in a single device. The demonstration took place at the European Space Agency's 5G NTN Forum using a satellite simulator. The pilot connected to ST Engineering iDirect's Intuition ground system, which incorporates native 5G NR-NTN gNodeB capabilities.

NTT and May Mobility begin public-road autonomous driving trials in Japan
JAPAN 3 SEP

NTT and May Mobility begin public-road autonomous driving trials in Japan

US autonomous driving technology company May Mobility and NTT Mobility have begun public-road testing of a Toyota e-Palette equipped with May Mobility's autonomous driving system (ADS). The trial is taking place at NTT Mobility's Co-Creation Hub autonomous driving test site in Musashino, Tokyo. The companies said it is the first in a series of trials involving multiple vehicle types and autonomous driving systems, with further demonstrations planned at several locations during the current fiscal year.

SoftBank completes Japan HAPS communications trial
JAPAN 2 SEP

SoftBank completes Japan HAPS communications trial

SoftBank and US-based Sceye have completed a trial of high-altitude platform station (HAPS) communications in Japan, testing connectivity between smartphones on the ground, drones and a HAPS operating in the stratosphere. Sceye's HAPS travelled more than 15,000km from New Mexico across the Pacific Ocean over approximately 13 days before reaching Japanese airspace on 23 August. It then operated over an area off Cape Muroto in Kochi Prefecture, remaining within a radius of as little as 5km of the target area

KDDI renews mobility trial on Hakatajima Island
JAPAN 2 SEP

KDDI renews mobility trial on Hakatajima Island

KDDI Smart Mobility has renewed a trial service combining public ride-sharing and goods delivery on Hakatajima Island in Imabari, Ehime Prefecture, with the updated service beginning on 1 September. The initiative, operated by the Hakatajima Mobility Consortium led by KDDI Smart Mobility, combines a shared transport service with a local delivery service. KDDI said the model is intended to support transport and delivery needs in an area where there is a bus service but no taxi operator.

Ericsson and Mobily run youth ICT training scheme
SAUDI ARABIA 1 SEP

Ericsson and Mobily run youth ICT training scheme

Ericsson and Mobily have launched a joint skills development programme in Saudi Arabia to prepare young people for careers in the ICT sector. Led by experts from both companies, it combines practical training with mentorship in topics such as AI, emerging technologies, leadership and employability. It is designed and delivered by subject matter experts from both companies.

KDDI and Lawson open first 'Office Lawson' store in a company's office
JAPAN 1 SEP

KDDI and Lawson open first 'Office Lawson' store in a company's office

KDDI and Lawson have opened the first 'Office Lawson' store at an external company, installing a unit-based convenience store across two floors of Kyocera's headquarters in Kyoto. The Lawson S Kyocera Headquarters Building store occupies space on the 11th and 12th floors, with its product mix tailored to each floor. The 11th floor focuses on meals including boxed lunches and rice balls, while the 12th offers coffee, snacks and confectionery.

TNM trains managers to drive internal AI readiness
MALAWI 31 AUG

TNM trains managers to drive internal AI readiness

Telekom Networks Malawi (TNM) has launched targeted artificial intelligence training for its management team to build internal capabilities and prepare operations for AI-driven transformation.

Swedish academic start-up Solinide Photonics introduces turnkey comb generator tailored to silicon photonics research
SWEDEN 31 AUG

Swedish academic start-up Solinide Photonics introduces turnkey comb generator tailored to silicon photonics research

Solinide Photonics, a Swedish academic spin-out specialising in silicon nitride-based photonic integrated circuits (PICs), has released its first commercial product backed by a EUR 4 million seed funding round that was signed off a couple of weeks ago. The Chalmers University of Technology spin-out is launching a turnkey optical frequency comb generator tailored to photonics and systems R&D teams, including RF labs. The Solinide LumiComb is now available for order. It comes in a 2RU (rack unit) form factor

UNITED STATES 31 AUG

FCC clears Innovation Zone for rural wireless research at Iowa State University

The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has given the go-ahead for a new Innovation Zone concession sited at Iowa State University's ARA (Agriculture and Rural Communities) research laboratory. The FCC-endorsed Innovation Zone will be dedicated to rural telecoms innovation including cellular products and services that support precision farming of crops and livestock. Innovation Zone sites enable holders of experimental US licence holders to trial cellular and multi-modal wireless innovations in envir

POLAND 27 AUG

Polish government launches web portal to support ICT businesses

The Polish Ministry of Digital Affairs has launched a web portal aimed at businesses specialising in ICT. It acts as a single location for information about business support, events and opportunities to enter foreign markets. The portal is aimed at companies, start-ups and industry organisations operating in the new technologies sector. It brings together information about support programmes and instruments, a calendar of trade fairs, trade missions and industry conferences, opportunities to showcase Polish

KENYA 27 AUG

Konza Technopolis receives delegates from University of Seoul and Korea Development Institute

The government of Kenya is expanding its technology partnership with South Korea. John Kipchumba Tanui, principal secretary for the State Department for ICT and digital economy, highlighted the initiative during a meeting with representatives from the University of Seoul and the Korea Development Institute (KDI). Delegates Hyeon Park, Junwon Seo, Hyemi Kim and Jun Kim are studying the effects of South Korea's development programmes supporting Konza Smart City.

UNITED STATES 27 AUG

NTT Docomo Ventures invests in video generation AI company Higgsfield

NTT Docomo Ventures has invested in US-based video generation AI company Higgsfield, which provides a platform covering video generation, editing and the production of advertising creatives. The investment was made through a fund operated by NTT Docomo Ventures. Higgsfield's platform can generate and edit short-form video from prompts, images and product URLs, with the company targeting both individual creators and professional video producers.

SINGAPORE 27 AUG

Vietnam, Singapore deepen technology and digital connectivity cooperation

Vietnam and Singapore have agreed to deepen cooperation across technology, digital connectivity and innovation, with the two countries aiming to strengthen their positions as strategic technology partners in Southeast Asia. The commitment was set out in a Joint Statement on the Vietnam-Singapore Technology Connectivity Strategy issued following the first Vietnam-Singapore Strategic Dialogue. The agreement builds on the countries' Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and covers cooperation in areas including

KOREA, REPUBLIC OF 27 AUG

SKT deploys AI system for fencing analysis ahead of Asian Games

SK Telecom (SKT) has introduced an AI-based fencing analysis system as part of its support for athletes preparing for the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. The operator said its 'Team SKT' athletes had held a send-off event at the Jincheon National Training Centre ahead of the Games. Eight athletes supported by SK Telecom attended the event, including four fencers, along with athletes competing in weightlifting, swimming, athletics and sport climbing.

JAPAN 26 AUG

NTT Data expands Litron AI platform for enterprise-wide agents

NTT Data has expanded its Litron integrated AI platform with three new services designed to support the development, sharing and operation of AI agents across enterprise business processes. Litron Builder allows business and IT users to build AI agents using natural language, a graphical interface or programme code. Litron Library provides a platform for sharing and reusing agents developed by NTT Data, customers and partners, while Litron Buddy uses information including schedules, meeting data and work hi

JAPAN 26 AUG

NTT West and FSAS offer on-premises platform for tsuzumi 2 LLM

NTT West and FSAS Technologies have completed testing of an on-premises generative AI platform combining FSAS Technologies' Private AI Platform on Primergy with NTT's Japanese-developed large language model tsuzumi 2. The companies said the solution is designed for organisations including government agencies, research institutions, financial institutions and manufacturers that require strict control over sensitive information. It allows data, the AI model and the underlying AI infrastructure to be managed a

EUROPE 25 AUG

Finnish consortium awarded EUR 5 million grant for military-grade 5G and 6G research

The Finnish defence ministry has awarded EUR 4.8 million (USD 5.6 milion) to a consortium led by the University of Oulu to develop 5G and 6G technologies for military defence applications in the Arctic. The Arctic 6G Systems Testing and Development Programme is funded by the Ministry of Defence as part of a regional initiative focused on broader government spending in northern Finland. The University of Oulu will take part in the project together with Nokia Defense, Telia and VTT Technical Research Centre o

KENYA 25 AUG

Konza Technopolis and Korea Eximbank deepen partnership

The Konza Technopolis Development Authority has hosted a delegation from the Export-Import Bank of Korea (Korea Eximbank) to discuss financing and grant opportunities for infrastructure projects. The delegation led by executive director Lee Dong-hoon met with authority CEO John Paul Okwiri to discuss funding for road expansion, a bio-vaccine facility and the proposed Digital Media City. Talks also covered the operationalisation, governance and investor outreach strategy for the media hub.

JAPAN 25 AUG

Qualcomm launches Japan robotics investment and plans new robotics centre

Qualcomm Technologies has announced a long-term investment initiative focused on Japan's robotics ecosystem, alongside plans to establish a Qualcomm Japan Robotics Center as a hub for research, development and collaboration. The initiative will bring together robotics, industrial automation, research and technology organisations in Japan, with Qualcomm aiming to support the development and deployment of physical AI and next-generation robotics. The company said the programme is aligned with Japanese policy

JAPAN 25 AUG

NTT Docomo and Mitsubishi Estate to develop 5G smart city in Marunouchi

NTT Docomo and Mitsubishi Estate have agreed to jointly develop a next-generation smart city in Tokyo's Otemachi, Marunouchi and Yurakucho area, with a focus on expanding "high-quality" 5G infrastructure including millimetre-wave services. The companies will develop network infrastructure clusters across the area by combining Docomo's 5G technology and base station equipment with Mitsubishi Estate's property assets and urban infrastructure.

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23 JUN 09:56

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5 MEI 10:55

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Background

30 AUG 23:50

The week in telecom: Meta pays up, SKT and MTN monetise data centres, and mobile network-sharing in demand

27 AUG 10:09

Viaplay sports content to help Videoland towards goal of becoming largest streamer in Netherlands

16 AUG 23:57

The week in telecom: Lenovo and Cisco profit from AI-driven demand in Q2, Google updates Pixels and reaches 1 bln Gemini users

9 AUG 23:44

The week in telecom: Starlink's mobile ambitions and LEO challengers, plus Hollywood studios try streaming shorts and sports