The companies also intend to develop a high-frequency wireless device that uses a compound semiconductor.

Fujitsu positions network technology as an essential element in its efforts to deliver business transformation through digital innovation and, ultimately, achieve a more sustainable society.

Background and Tasks:
6G networks are expected to further accelerate the digitalization of society and offer essential solutions to complex social problems. To this end, global R&D activities are focused on further advancing the high-speed, high-capacity, low-latency, and simultaneous multi-connection characteristics of current 5G networks and aim to achieve low-power communications with a view to the large-scale launch of 6G networks and services around 2030.

Wider frequency bands play a crucial role in enabling high-speed, high-capacity communications that surpass those of current 5G networks. The 100 GHz and higher frequency bands hold promise for 6G networks, which would allow communication speeds exceeding 100 Gbps—ten times faster than current 5G networks. However, radio waves at higher frequencies are more susceptible to interference from obstacles, hindering communication between distant points.

Summary of joint tests
To solve this problem, Fujitsu, DOCOMO and NTT will conduct joint tests of distributed MIMO(4), a wireless communication technology in which multiple sub-terahertz wave antennas are dispersed to simultaneously emit radio waves from multiple directions to a receiving terminal.

With this joint experiment, the three companies aim to develop a technology resistant to obstructions and that allows stable high-speed wireless communication of more than 100 Gbps.

To achieve high-speed, high-capacity communications in the sub-terahertz range with a small size and low power consumption, Fujitsu aims to develop high-frequency wireless devices using compound semiconductors such as gallium nitride (GaN) and indium phosphorus (InP). Looking ahead, the Japanese multinational will promote the development of technologies for practical 6G applications and actively participate in global 6G standardization activities to contribute to solving societal problems through R&D.

Naoki Tani, Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer at DOCOMO, commented: “DOCOMO has been collaborating with Fujitsu since 2014 to validate wireless technologies toward the realization of 5G, and has leveraged the technical expertise gained to offer commercial 5G services since 2020. We are delighted to collaborate with Fujitsu also toward the realization of the 6G concept. DOCOMO and NTT will initiate experimental trials with Fujitsu to establish 6G wireless technologies for sub-THz communication using the 100 GHz and 300 GHz bands, and will make a strong contribution to the commercialization of 6G with a variety of industry partners.”