Ericsson Joins Forces With KDDI In 5G Research And Development

• Ericsson agrees with KDDI to jointly evaluate performance and applicability of potential 5G key technology components
• Companies to develop a joint understanding of 5G use cases, requirements and deployment scenarios
• Areas of interest include radio and core technologies

Ericsson recently announced a 5G research and development collaboration with KDDI, a leading telecommunications operator based in Tokyo, Japan. Representatives from KDDI and Ericsson have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the intention to advance technology evolution towards 5G.

Under the agreement, the two companies will develop a joint understanding of 5G use cases, requirements and deployment scenarios, as well as evaluate performance and applicability of potential 5G key technology components. The areas of interest for the companies include radio and core technologies.

Yoshiaki Uchida, Managing Executive Officer, Technology Sector, Member of the Board, KDDI, says: "We are committed to providing high-quality network performance and user experience to address the needs and expectation of our customers. Through our joint efforts with Ericsson we will study 5G technologies and take an important step toward bringing 5G capabilities to the market."

Chris Houghton, Head of Region North East Asia, Ericsson, says: "This MoU is another important milestone in Ericsson's partnership with KDDI and an opportunity for both companies to strengthen the technology foundation for the evolution toward 5G. The combination of Ericsson and KDDI's technology leadership will generate valuable synergies that strengthen our research and development."

5G will drive an evolution of the entire future communications ecosystem, from devices to mobile access, IP core and the cloud. Ericsson's latest 5G test network initiatives cover the interactions between mobile devices and radio access networks in both indoor and outdoor scenarios, as well as the new capabilities and characteristics of core networks based on Network Functions Virtualization (NFV) and software-defined networking (SDN) technologies.

About KDDI Corporation
KDDI, a comprehensive communications company offering fixed-line and mobile communications services, strives to be a leading company for changing times. For individual customers, KDDI offers its mobile communications (mobile phone) and fixed-line communications (broadband Internet/telephone) services under the brand name au, helping to realize Fixed Mobile and Broadcasting Convergence (FMBC). For business clients, KDDI provides comprehensive Information and Communications services, from Fixed Mobile Convergence (FMC) networks to data centers, applications, and security strategies, which helps clients strengthen their businesses. For more information, visit http://www.kddi.com/english.

About Ericsson
Ericsson is the driving force behind the Networked Society - a world leader in communications technology and services. Our long-term relationships with every major telecom operator in the world allow people, business and society to fulfill their potential and create a more sustainable future.

Our services, software and infrastructure - especially in mobility, broadband and the cloud - are enabling the telecom industry and other sectors to do better business, increase efficiency, improve the user experience and capture new opportunities.

With approximately 115,000 professionals and customers in 180 countries, we combine global scale with technology and services leadership. We support networks that connect more than 2.5 billion subscribers. Forty percent of the world's mobile traffic is carried over Ericsson networks. And our investments in research and development ensure that our solutions - and our customers - stay in front.

Founded in 1876, Ericsson has its headquarters in Stockholm, Sweden. Net sales in 2014 were SEK 228.0 billion (USD 33.1 billion). For more information, visit www.ericsson.com.