DOCOMO, AGC and Ericsson Achieve World's First 5G Communication Using Glass Antenna for 28 GHz

May 29, 2019 10:15 JST

Source: NTT DOCOMO

- Thin, compact antenna enables 5G communication under difficult conditions -

TOKYO, May 29, 2019 - (JCN Newswire) - NTT DOCOMO, INC., AGC Inc. and Ericsson have achieved what is believed to be the world's first 5G mobile telecommunications using an antenna embedded in synthetic fused silica glass to transmit and receive 28 GHz 5G radio signals for stable, high-speed mobile communication in buildings, vehicles and trains.

The antenna was used to verify 28 GHz 5G mobile communication with downlink speeds averaging 1.3 Gbps within a 100-meter range and reaching a maximum of 3.8 Gbps at 400 MHz. The verification tests, which used a vehicle fitted with multiple antennas and traveling about 30 km/h, were conducted in the Sumida area of Tokyo between April 22 and May 28.

Radio signals in the 28 GHz band are more linear than 4G LTE signals, so they are not strong enough to adequately penetrate windows in buildings, vehicles and railway cars. The new glass antenna can be attached to window surfaces to enable radio waves to be received and relayed in ideal directions for stable, high-speed 5G communications under challenging indoor and in-vehicle conditions.

Antennas were used in multiple spots on the test vehicle, including the windshield, side windows and rear window, enabling data to be transmitted and received in ideal directions for maximum signal strength. As a result, stable, high-speed communication was achieved even in urban areas where signals were blocked or reflected by obstacles.

The 5G glass antenna's small size and transparent appearance allow it to be installed unobtrusively in buildings, vehicles, etc. without impairing the installation object's appearance or design, or people's line of sight.

Going forward, DOCOMO, AGC and Ericsson will continue to refine antenna technology to enable the glass antenna to function compatibly with Massive MIMO, a technology that uses multiple antennas to transmit and receive data, aiming to achieve faster 5G communication speeds and expanded 5G use under diverse conditions.

About the AGC Group

AGC Inc. is the parent company of the AGC Group, a world-leading glass solution provider and supplier of flat, automotive and display glass, chemicals, ceramics and other high-tech materials and components. Based on more than a century of technical innovation, the AGC Group has developed a wide range of cutting-edge products.

The AGC Group employs some 54,000 people worldwide and generates annual sales of approximately 1.5 trillion Japanese yen through business in about 30 countries. For more information, please visit New windowwww.agc.com/en

About Ericsson Japan

Ericsson enables communications service providers to capture the full value of connectivity. The company's portfolio spans Networks, Digital Services, Managed Services, and Emerging Business and is designed to help our customers go digital, increase efficiency and find new revenue streams. Ericsson's investments in innovation have delivered the benefits of telephony and mobile broadband to billions of people around the world. The Ericsson stock is listed on Nasdaq Stockholm and on Nasdaq New York. New windowwww.ericsson.com

Contact:

NTT DOCOMO
International PR
Public Relations Department
Tel: +81-3-5156-1366    
Fax: +81-3-5501-3408

Source: NTT DOCOMO
Sectors: Telecoms, 5G, Wireless, Apps

Related Press Release

Japan's Telecommunications Carriers Strengthen Disaster Response Through Collaborative Information Sharing

July 01 2025 21:30 JST

Five NTT Group Companies and Biome Inc. Start Joint Development of Large-scale Estimation Technology for Vegetation and Organisms using Satellite Image Data

March 31 2025 14:43 JST

NTT, DOCOMO and NEC Demonstrate World's Fastest 140 Gbps Bidirectional Wireless Transmission in 80 GHz Band

March 25 2025 15:40 JST

Japan's Telecommunications Carriers Enhance Disaster Response with On-site Training for Joint Use of Marine Vessels

March 07 2025 15:24 JST

NTT and DOCOMO Successfully Demonstrates On-Demand Unified Control of Computing Services Through Network and Service Integration

March 03 2025 19:25 JST

Space Compass and NTT DOCOMO Successfully Demonstrate Data Connectivity to 4G Devices via HAPS at 20 km Above Kenya

March 03 2025 19:14 JST

TOPPAN and DOCOMO Agree to Innovate Next-Generation 6G Services Using FEEL TECH Communication Technology

March 03 2025 17:32 JST

Japan's Telecommunications Carriers Strengthen Disaster Response by Conducting Joint Training for Shared Refueling Stations

January 28 2025 16:39 JST

DOCOMO to Exhibit at MWC Barcelona 2025, World's Largest Connectivity Exhibition

January 24 2025 16:39 JST

6G Begins! Embarking on a New Journey of Global Interoperable Standards

December 19 2024 15:50 JST

More Press release >>

Latest Press Release

Mitsubishi Motors Launches the All-New Grandis for the European Market
Jul 02, 2025 12:10 JST

Valuufy partners with Mainichi Future Creation Lab, Supporting New Approaches to Business Sustainability
Jul 02, 2025 12:00 JST

Fujitsu launches solution to enhance customers' global supply chain resilience
Jul 02, 2025 11:32 JST

MHI Receives Order to Supply Four Circulating Water Pumps for Units 5 and 6 of Sanmen Nuclear Power Plant in China Under Collaboration with Dongfang Electric Machinery
Jul 02, 2025 11:30 JST

Multi-purpose Arena in Odaiba Aomi Area TOYOTA ARENA TOKYO Construction Completed
Jul 01, 2025 22:56 JST

1Finity, a Fujitsu company, commences operations and reveals brand identity
Jul 01, 2025 22:53 JST

MHI Thermal Systems Begins Field Test of Jointly Developed "Surplus Renewable Energy Absorption and Release System"
Jul 01, 2025 22:40 JST

Japan's Telecommunications Carriers Strengthen Disaster Response Through Collaborative Information Sharing
Jul 01, 2025 22:30 JST

JCB and Mandai Wildlife Group Deepen Partnership with exclusive discounts for JCB cardmembers
Jul 01, 2025 16:00 JST

Fujitsu provides Japan's first AI-powered cloud-based library search service
Jul 01, 2025 11:30 JST

JCB Brings Apple Pay to Cardmembers in Vietnam
Jul 01, 2025 11:15 JST

First Shipment of LNG from the LNG Canada Project
Jul 01, 2025 11:00 JST

Approval in Principle (AiP) for World's First LCO2 / Methanol Carrier
Jun 30, 2025 20:30 JST

Acropolis Rally Greece: Day 4 Sunday success and second overall for TOYOTA GAZOO Racing's Ogier
Jun 30, 2025 20:15 JST

Mitsubishi Fuso-Hino Merger: 4 Firms Collaborate for the Future of Commercial Vehicles
Jun 30, 2025 20:10 JST

Six Companies Establish BlueRebirth Council to Expand Use of Recycled Materials in New Vehicles
Jun 30, 2025 19:25 JST

Honda Changes Plan to Build New Production Plant for Next-generation Fuel Cell Module in Japan
Jun 30, 2025 19:20 JST

MHI-AC&R Receives Recommendation Award of JARAC's 42nd Excellent Energy Saving Equipment Awards
Jun 30, 2025 19:00 JST

The University of Osaka and Fujitsu Japan launch joint research on AI-powered education support for culturally and linguistically diverse children in Japan
Jun 30, 2025 12:00 JST

JCB has launched contactless subway payment services in Shanghai and Beijing, marking the first such service in mainland China
Jun 30, 2025 12:00 JST

More Latest Release >>