Mitsubishi Electric Begins Trial of Local 5G System in Japan

Mitsubishi Electric Corporation has announced that its Nagoya Works in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture has begun a demonstration test of a local 5G system, which Japan's Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) has licensed for use in a limited area and operating with a different frequency band, 28.2GHz-28.3GHz, than those deployed by mobile operators.

In the coming future, the company expects to deploy local 5G systems to deliver new services and businesses incorporating a wide range of Factory Automation (FA) and other products.

The test is designed to verify wireless transmission between local 5G base stations and Mitsubishi Electric's FA products. It will also help to confirm various possible uses of envisioned local 5G systems, such as remote operation and maintenance support, usage of augmented and virtual reality for enhanced work efficiency, and more.

5G, which achieves ultra-high speed, ultra-low latency and multiple simultaneous connections, is poised to support advanced infrastructure using frequency bands mainly allocated to telecommunications operators.

In December 2019, however, MIC began accepting applications for local 5G systems to enable local governments and companies to meet diversifying communication needs, including due to the spread of Internet of Things (IoT) devices.

Mitsubishi Electric is now developing local 5G systems for one-stop solutions that incorporate communication-system and 5G technologies as well as its various products and services, working in close collaboration with customers and partner companies to create new businesses and services.

Future Developments

Mitsubishi Electric expects to launch demonstration test at other business sites as well as establish new 5G infrastructure at its business sites and laboratories.

The 5G Open Innovation Laboratory, for example, which is scheduled to begin operating at the company's Information Technology R&D Center in Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture within the current fiscal year ending in March 31, 2021, will serve as a base for joint research and demonstrations with customers and partner companies to create new businesses and services.

To create new businesses and services, Mitsubishi Electric is collaborating with partner companies on studying 5G uses and conducting demonstration tests that incorporate basic 5G-related technologies, including communication systems, antenna technologies and both high-frequency and optical devices.