Latest Updates Ericsson Japan K.K. & KDDI conduct first experimental studies in Hiroshima Prefecture of cellular base station built inside streetlight

Oct 24, 2017

In the mobile communications industry, the development of 5G communication infrastructure, which is the next generation of ultra-high-speed communication networks, is a challenge. 5G communication has achieved a level more than ten times faster than the current 4G or LTE communication speed. It is also expected to be used to send and receive real-time information for automatic operations as a critical infrastructure network for the promotion of IoT in Japanese society. On the other hand, ultra-high frequency radio waves used in 5G communication are easily obstructed by objects such as buildings, necessitating the installation of more base stations in each city than before. The impact on the landscape and increase in installation costs are concerns.

Ericsson Japan Co., Ltd. is developing a "Zero SITE" product that integrates LED street lights and cellular base stations as one solution to this challenge. The company conducted feasibility studies to adapt the technology to the Japanese environment in FY2016. They will begin a phase of experimental studies in the city of Fukuyama, Hiroshima in 2017 in order to verify practical use of the technology in Japan.

JETRO provided the company with information on incentives such as Japanese government subsidies and supported the company's feasibility and experimental studies for their "Zero SITE" in the "Subsidy Program for Global Innovation Centers” in FY2016. In the lead-up to the coming experimental studies in Fukuyama, JETRO Hiroshima also made referrals to candidate municipalities to choose from and arranged interviews.