Japan’s NTT DoCoMo has partnered with Nokia Networks to explore and harness the potential of Nokia Networks mmWave technology in the 70 GHz spectrum band.

In a joint indoor 5G trial, the two companies achieved downlink speeds of more than 2 Gbps using higher frequencies in the 70 GHz band. This development underscores the operator’s aim to deliver a 5G network in 2020 and beyond. DoCoMo and Nokia Networks are also planning to conduct a 70 GHz outdoor trial later this year. 

Seizo Onoe, CTO, NTT DoCoMo, said:

“Utilizing higher frequency bands including millimeter wave is key to deliver extremely high performance in 5G. We believe that high-frequency spectrum shall be used not just for small cells as a means to complement the existing network, but also for building solid area coverage through coordination with existing lower frequency bands. The success of this indoor trial with Nokia Networks using the 70GHz band marks an important step forward in our 5G vision for 2020.”