SoftBank and KDDI to study joint 5G rollout to boost rural coverage in Japan

摘要

Two of Japan's leading mobile network operators (MNOs), SoftBank Corp and KDDI (au), have struck a deal to share infrastructure to speed up the rollout of fifth-generation services in the country. With a view to accelerating rural rollout, the two MNOs have issued a joint statement confirming they will explore options such as the setting up of a construction management firm to oversee efforts to coordinate the installation of 5G base transceiver stations (BTS). The press release went on to say that, given 5G technologies will utilize the 3.7GHz and 28GHz bands, a significant number of BTS will be needed countrywide, requiring considerable long-term investment in deployment activities. Per plans submitted to the communications ministry in April this year, KDDI - Japan's second largest MNO by subscribers - will look to deploy more than 42,000 base stations for 5G services, while number three player SoftBank has initially set out its stall to install more than 11,000.