Tokyo Tech and Rakuten Mobile sign 5G network agreement

Tokyo Tech and Rakuten Mobile, Inc. concluded a basic agreement to collaborate on 5G networks on March 19, 2021. The partners will begin work towards trials utilizing 5G networks and will collaborate with the Super Smart Society Promotion Consortium with the aim of driving innovation to realize a super smart society, also known as Society 5.0.

Ookayama Campus

Tokyo Tech established the Super Smart Society Promotion Consortium in 2018 to promote the realization of a super smart society. Through the consortium, Tokyo Tech is collaborating with participating organizations to create a next-generation social research and education platform that integrates functions from human resource development to R&D. Rakuten Mobile has been a member of the consortium since November 2020.

Rakuten Mobile will build an end-to-end fully virtualized 5G network[1] on Ookayama Campus and the surrounding area. Over the next four years until March 2025, Rakuten Mobile and Tokyo Tech will carry out trials leveraging sub-6 and mmW 5G NR (New Radio) that will aim to support the development of the surrounding area, address local community needs, and build a model case of a Super Smart Town.[2]

Indicative diagram of 5G network deployment areas on Ookayama Campus, actual deployment area may differ

Indicative diagram of 5G network deployment areas on Ookayama Campus, actual deployment area may differ

By leveraging the high speed, low latency, and multi-connectivity characteristics of 5G, Tokyo Tech and Rakuten Mobile will work together to promote the adoption of 5G and other technologies that contribute to the local community.

1 End-to-end fully virtualized 5G network

Environment where the entire mobile network, from the wireless access network to the core network, is fully virtualized.

2 Super Smart Town

A Super Smart Town aims to realize a better way of living and revitalize the local community by leveraging the high speed and low latency potential of 5G to create new services such as smart navigation, smart shopping, and smart mobility.

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