NTT DOCOMO, INC. (DOCOMO) and Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (NTT) announced today that they have added two new global partners to their collaborative 6G trials with the world’s leading vendors and global operators: telecom operator SK Telecom Co., Ltd (SK Telecom) and Rohde & Schwarz GmbH & Co. KG (Rohde & Schwarz), a manufacturer of high-frequency high-performance measurement instruments.
The two new companies join existing collaborators1,2 Fujitsu Limited (Fujitsu), NEC Corporation (NEC), Nokia, Ericsson and Keysight Technologies, Inc. (Keysight Technologies) to expand the joint effort with DOCOMO and NTT to seven companies participating in trials of potential frequency bands for 6G telecommunications.
The details of the cooperation between the two newly added companies are as follows. As part of its technical collaboration3 with DOCOMO and NTT, SK Telecom will participate in trials using AI technology to tailor radio interfaces for various propagation environments, which is being conducted jointly by DOCOMO with NTT and Nokia. The trial will now be expanded to include environments closer to envisioned uses, leveraging SK Telecom’s expertise as a telecom operator and ecosystem creator, similar to DOCOMO. In addition, Rohde & Schwarz will use its measurement-system design technology in channel models to evaluate new wireless-sensing solutions beyond mobile communication technologies, and evaluate wireless-sensing performance using measurements and channel models in real-world environments.
Trials with seven collaborators, including two new companies
Separately, DOCOMO and NTT also announced the results of trials4,5 using new wireless communication technologies and AI, which have been conducted since June 2022. This time, we achieved the following new results.
Nokia: Trial of wireless access technology for 140GHz
ResultsBeamforming trials were successfully conducted using Nokia’s 140GHz-band radio system prototype and a 128-element phased-array antenna6 in Japan, confirming the effectiveness of phased-array beam steering in different directions to achieve good reception when the receiver is moving.Future PlansFurther trials will focus on more specific applications to confirm the practicality of sub-terahertz (sub-THz) signals7 in indoor environments.
Fujitsu: Trial of distributed MIMO at 100GHz and 300GHz
ResultsThe trial successfully acquired propagation channel information equivalent to a distributed MIMO system using Fujitsu’s 100GHz phased-array antenna prototype and wireless circuit.Future PlansSimulations will be performed to analyze factors such as shielding resistance and distributed MIMO characteristics.
Keysight Technologies: Architecture for sub-THz propagation measurement, propagation measurement and channel model formulation
ResultsA device for real-time visualization of the spatial arrival of sub-THz radio waves was successfully realized by combining an 896-element super multi-element antenna developed by NTT and a receiving signal analyzer developed by Keysight Technologies. Also, combining a SISO channel sounder developed mainly by DOCOMO and a signal transceiver built by Keysight Technologies enabled ultra-high-resolution observation of the temporal arrival of sub-THz signals. Using this group of equipment, DOCOMO and NTT have successfully conducted radio propagation experiments for ultra-broadband communications in the sub-THz band.Future PlansChannel models with dynamic tracking capabilities in real-world environments will be further developed for the design of an efficient ultra-wideband 6G communication system.
Going forward, DOCOMO and NTT will continue to conduct trials in collaboration with major global and Japanese vendors as well as overseas telecom operators. They will further expand their partners and promote various initiatives that leverage their respective strengths, to research and develop various mobile communication technologies. Through these efforts, DOCOMO and NTT aim to accelerate research and development that will contribute to the global standardization and commercialization of 6G.
Various trials mentioned above will be showcased at DOCOMO’s booth at MWC Barcelona 2024 in Barcelona, Spain, starting February 26.
NTT DOCOMO, Japan’s leading mobile operator with over 89 million subscriptions, is one of the world’s foremost contributors to 3G, 4G and 5G mobile network technologies. Beyond core communications services, DOCOMO is challenging new frontiers in collaboration with a growing number of entities (“+d” partners), creating exciting and convenient value-added services that change the way people live and work. Under a medium-term plan toward 2020 and beyond, DOCOMO is pioneering a leading-edge 5G network to facilitate innovative services that will amaze and inspire customers beyond their expectations. www.docomo.ne.jp/english/
About NTT
NTT contributes to a sustainable society through the power of innovation. We are a leading global technology company providing services to consumers and business as a mobile operator, infrastructure, networks, applications, and consulting provider. Our offerings include digital business consulting, managed application services, workplace and cloud solutions, data center and edge computing, all supported by our deep global industry expertise. We are over $97B in revenue and 330,000 employees, with $3.6B in annual R&D investments. Our operations span across 80+ countries and regions, allowing us to serve clients in over 190 of them. We serve over 75% of Fortune Global 100 companies, thousands of other enterprise and government clients and millions of consumers. https://group.ntt/en/
NTT DOCOMO, INC. announced today that it will participate in Open RAN verifications in the United States as the ACCoRD (Acceleration of Compatibility and Commercialization for Open RAN Deployments) project in a consortium jointly founded with AT&T Inc. (AT&T), Verizon Communications Inc. (Verizon), and Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd. (Jio). This consortium was awarded a USD 42.3 million grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA)(1) on February 12.
The consortium comprises telecom operators and US universities and suppliers include equipment vendors from the United States and abroad, and is committed to verifying multi-vendor Open RAN connectivity for further commercial deployments. Leveraging its experiences and expertise in multi-vendor interoperability since the 4G era and Open RAN deployment in 5G networks, DOCOMO will contribute to the realization of integration and interoperability between major and emerging vendors with its consortium partners.
The grant program, part of the Wireless Supply Chain Innovation Fund established by the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022 in the United States, is aimed at promoting open and interoperable solutions in the wireless communication equipment market, stimulating the ecosystem, and providing grants to activities advancing verification, adoption and deployment of such technology and equipment.
Going forward, DOCOMO will contribute to supporting operators in their adoption of Open RAN through this consortium and the company’s Open RAN service brand OREX®.(2)
(1) Principal advisory body to the President of the United States on domestic and international telecommunications and information policies. (2) OREX is an Open RAN service provider launched by DOCOMO in collaboration with multiple global vendors, providing customized Open RAN solutions to address the needs of each customer.
OREX is a registered trademark of NTT DOCOMO, INC.
About NTT DOCOMO
NTT DOCOMO, Japan’s leading mobile operator with over 89 million subscriptions, is one of the world’s foremost contributors to 3G, 4G and 5G mobile network technologies. Beyond core communications services, DOCOMO is challenging new frontiers in collaboration with a growing number of entities (“+d” partners), creating exciting and convenient value-added services that change the way people live and work. Under a medium-term plan toward 2020 and beyond, DOCOMO is pioneering a leading-edge 5G network to facilitate innovative services that will amaze and inspire customers beyond their expectations. www.docomo.ne.jp/english/
NTT DOCOMO, INC. announced today that it has developed a generative AI that automatically generates non-player characters (NPCs), characters not controlled by the player, in the metaverse based solely on text input. The technology, which DOCOMO believes is the world’s first of its kind,1generates NPCs that embody distinct appearances, behaviors and roles in just 20 minutes,2 eliminating the need for specialized programming or algorithmic expertise.
The technology integrates three generative AIs: behavior-logic-generative AI, animation-generative AI,3 and appearance-generative AI.4 The behavior-logic-generative AI and the seamless synchronization of all three types of AI are unique developments by DOCOMO; significant achievements that mark the new technology as cutting-edge.
Behavior-logic-generative AI automatically creates a unique behavior tree5 that defines the behavior of NPCs in the metaverse using only text. Creating a behavior tree until now has typically required skilled programmers to use code when formulating the required specifications.
Behavior Tree
In addition, automatic linkage of the three generative AIs makes it possible to link the behavior tree generated by the behavior-logic-generative AI, the NPC skeletal data generated by the animation-generative AI, and the 3D model of the NPC generated by the appearance-generative AI, thereby allowing the automatic generation of NPCs using only text.
Linkage of the Three Generative AIs
The advancement of this technology is part of DOCOMO’s Lifestyle Co-Creation Lab, working together with partners to evaluate life-enhancing technologies. Its objective is to craft an Innovation Co-Creation Platform accessible across various industries. Rooted in the concept of metacommunication, and aimed at fostering a new community identity, DOCOMO aims to integrate the technology with its Large Language Model (LLM) infrastructure and personal data resources.
Going forward, DOCOMO plans to further enhance this technology and implement it in the DOOR, metaverse operated by NTT QONOQ, INC. within the fiscal year ending in March 2025, with the goal of helping customers enjoy more convenient and enriched lives. Related technologies and services will be targeted to help support regional revitalization and development, among other applications.
This technology will be introduced during the “docomo Open House ’24” online event beginning on January 17.
(1) According to DOCOMO’s research (as of December 2023). Patent pending by NTT DOCOMO, INC. (2) Based on verification results of this project. (3) Uses Human Motion Diffusion Model technology. (4) Uses Text2Mesh. (5) A structure used to create NPC (Non-Player Character) behaviors, placed within a hierarchical tree to visually represent the character’s thoughts and actions, making the flow of reasoning leading to actions visually comprehensible.
About NTT DOCOMO
NTT DOCOMO, Japan’s leading mobile operator with over 88 million subscriptions, is one of the world’s foremost contributors to 3G, 4G and 5G mobile network technologies. Beyond core communications services, DOCOMO is challenging new frontiers in collaboration with a growing number of entities (“+d” partners), creating exciting and convenient value-added services that change the way people live and work. Under a medium-term plan toward 2020 and beyond, DOCOMO is pioneering a leading-edge 5G network to facilitate innovative services that will amaze and inspire customers beyond their expectations.https://www.docomo.ne.jp/english/
NTT DOCOMO, INC. (hereinafter referred to as DOCOMO), NIPPON TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE CORPORATION (NTT), and NIPPON CAR SOLUTIONS CO., LTD. (NCS) will start a demonstration experiment on January 12, 2024, as part of their enhanced disaster response measures involving responding to power outages. This experiment focuses on a base station power recovery system utilizing electric vehicles (EVs).
Fig. Overview of This Demonstration Experiment
The system for this experiment comprises DOCOMO’s Energy Management System (EMS) platform for monitoring and controlling base station power, NTT’s AI-based vehicle dispatch planning created using deep reinforcement learning(1), and real-time EV data (including location, stored power, and driving data) collected by NCS. The objective is to efficiently dispatch optimally located and charged EVs to power-downed base stations. This validation will take place from January 12 to June 30, 2024. Furthermore, NTT is a member of the EV100 initiative(2), and this demonstration experiment is conducted as part of the initiative’s efforts.
During power outages, base stations currently provide communication services using backup batteries for a limited time and deploy generators for extended outages. This experiment aims to enhance disaster response by effectively using EVs, which are expected to become more common as corporate vehicles.
This initiative will be showcased at the “docomo Open House’24” hosted by DOCOMO, starting January 17, 2024.
(1) Deep reinforcement learning is a combination of reinforcement learning and deep learning. (2) EV100 is an international initiative aimed at promoting the use of electric vehicles and related infrastructure among businesses. In 2018, NTT became the first telecommunications operator to join the initiative.
Tokyu Land Corporation (Tokyu Land), NTT Corporation (NTT) and NTT DOCOMO, INC. (DOCOMO) jointly announced that they organized IOWN WEEK at the Shibuya Sakura Stage in central Tokyo from December 13 to 15 to celebrate the commercial launch of the world’s first all-photonic network, APN IOWN 1.01 in urban development. This event showcased immersive platforms that enabled viewers to experience the APN IOWN 1.0 network’s high speed, high capacity, low latency and zero jitter.2
During the IOWN Entertainment Event, comedians both at the event site and in remote locations engaged in rap battles and comedic performances that were conducted with very natural verbal exchanges without any communication delays, even though the performers were not in the same locations. In addition, the IOWN Web Conference held at SHIBUYA SOLASTA demonstrated exciting possibilities for corporate tenants of Shibuya Sakura Stage for the use of next-generation networks. These events marked the world’s first3 implementation of remote rap battles and web conferences using an all-photonic network, APN IOWN 1.0.
Tokyu Land and the NTT Group4 entered into a collaboration agreement on June 7 to utilize technologies and services related to NTT’s IOWN concept5 for innovative urban development, such as using the all-photonic IOWN network in smart systems that significantly reduce urban power consumption. As the first initiative of this collaboration, the APN IOWN 1.0 network was brought online at the Shibuya Sakura Stage building on December 11.
APN IOWN 1.0 enables the uncompressed transmission of 4K video and remarkably clear audio transmission, both of which will be used to enhance live entertainment experiences by allowing remote performers to collaborate as if they were together on the same stage. In office environments, these advanced capabilities will facilitate collaboration with remote participants as if they were all physically in the same place, for example, to edit video across multiple locations simultaneously.
Shibuya Sakura Stage
Going forward, Tokyu Land and the NTT Group will use APN IOWN 1.0 to create other ultra-fast, low-latency communication environments, focusing on the greater Shibuya area.6
(1) An All-Photonics Network service, launched by NTT East and NTT West in March 2023, utilizes exclusive optical wavelengths across the entire communication network. https://www.ntt-east.co.jp/release/detail/20230302_01.html (2) By employing time-division multiplexing (fixing transmission time to differentiate information), delays and packet loss due to traffic conditions are minimized. (3) As of November 22, 2023, based on research conducted by NTT DOCOMO. (4) NTT Corporation, NTT DOCOMO, and NTT East. (5) Network and information-processing infrastructure that utilize innovative technologies centered around optics for high-speed, large-capacity communication and massive computing resources. https://www.rd.ntt/e/iown/ (6) Area within a 2.5km radius of Shibuya Station (defined by the Tokyu Group) targeted for urban development (Greater SHIBUYA 2.0) integrating work, recreation and living in a sustainable community. https://www.tokyu-land.co.jp/english/urban/area/shibuya.html.
About Tokyu Land
TOKYU LAND CORPORATION is a comprehensive real estate company with operations in Urban Development, Residential, Infrastructure & Industry, Wellness, Overseas Businesses and more.At present, we are leveraging our development capabilities – which are backed by a proven track record – and taking advantage of our steady earning power, as we develop our businesses to implement the Tokyu Fudosan Holdings Group’s long-term vision, GROUP VISION 2030, and our Medium-Term Management Plan 2025. We will continue advancing our business operations to realize the Group’s ideal vision of creating value for the future.
About NTT
NTT contributes to a sustainable society through the power of innovation. We are a leading global technology company providing services to consumers and business as a mobile operator, infrastructure, networks, applications, and consulting provider. Our offerings include digital business consulting, managed application services, workplace and cloud solutions, data center and edge computing, all supported by our deep global industry expertise. We are over $97B in revenue and 330,000 employees, with $3.6B in annual R&D investments. Our operations span across 80+ countries and regions, allowing us to serve clients in over 190 of them. We serve over 75% of Fortune Global 100 companies, thousands of other enterprise and government clients and millions of consumers.https://group.ntt/en/
About NTT DOCOMO
NTT DOCOMO, Japan’s leading mobile operator with over 88 million subscriptions, is one of the world’s foremost contributors to 3G, 4G and 5G mobile network technologies. Beyond core communications services, DOCOMO is challenging new frontiers in collaboration with a growing number of entities (“+d” partners), creating exciting and convenient value-added services that change the way people live and work. Under a medium-term plan toward 2020 and beyond, DOCOMO is pioneering a leading-edge 5G network to facilitate innovative services that will amaze and inspire customers beyond their expectations.https://www.docomo.ne.jp/english/
docomo Open House ’24” online event beginning on January 17.
