Technology

Qualcomm and NTT DOCOMO Enable World’s First Commercialization of 5G Sub-6 GHz Carrier Aggregation in Japan

DOCOMO Now Delivering Transformative Mobile Experiences and Multi-Gigabit 5G Speeds

SAN DIEGO and TOKYO – December 7, 2020 – Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. and NTT DOCOMO, INC. today announced they have together enabled the world’s first commercialization of 5G sub-6 GHz carrier aggregation (sub6-CA) in Japan, effective immediately, to bring multi-gigabit mobile experiences to DOCOMO customers. Deployment of 5G carrier aggregation, a critical capability in 5G specifications, is enabling customers to now enjoy improved performance on DOCOMO’s rapidly expanding 5G network.

Using DOCOMO’s new 5G network and select devices powered by the Qualcomm® SnapdragonTM 865 Mobile Platform with the Snapdragon X55 5G Modem-RF System, customers can now enjoy mobile download speeds of up to 4.2 Gbps – the fastest speeds available in Japan. This level of service is achieved through 5G sub-6 GHz carrier aggregation, which combines a 100 MHz carrier in band n78 and a 100 MHz carrier in band n79 to boost 5G performance and network capacity using DOCOMO’s diverse spectrum assets.

The deployment of 5G Sub6-CA, along with 5G mmWave 28 GHz band that DOCOMO began operating commercially in September, will unleash the full potential of 5G and enable accelerated deployment of DOCOMO’s 5G service areas.

“It is a pleasure to continue our work with DOCOMO to advance and accelerate 5G technology throughout Japan,” said Durga Malladi, senior vice president and general manager, 4G/5G, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. “By providing access to breakthrough technologies like 5G carrier aggregation, we are enabling consumers and companies throughout Japan to access faster connectivity, enhanced capacity and better reliability.”

“In collaboration with Qualcomm Technologies, we are pleased to begin delivering this advanced and groundbreaking mobile technology to our customers nationwide,” said Naoki Tani, Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, NTT DOCOMO. “DOCOMO subscribers can now enjoy superior 5G service together with exciting mobile experiences. Moreover, by establishing a new standard of possibility for the industry, we are proud to help initiate a new era of connectivity in Japan.”

For more about DOCOMO devices that support 5G sub-6 GHz carrier aggregation and 5G mmWave, please visit https://www.nttdocomo.co.jp/english/product/.

Qualcomm and Snapdragon are trademarks or registered trademarks of Qualcomm Incorporated.

Qualcomm Snapdragon is a product of Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries.

About Qualcomm

Qualcomm is the world’s leading wireless technology innovator and the driving force behind the development, launch, and expansion of 5G. When we connected the phone to the internet, the mobile revolution was born. Today, our foundational technologies enable the mobile ecosystem and are found in every 3G, 4G and 5G smartphone. We bring the benefits of mobile to new industries, including automotive, the internet of things, and computing, and are leading the way to a world where everything and everyone can communicate and interact seamlessly.

Qualcomm Incorporated includes our licensing business, QTL, and the vast majority of our patent portfolio. Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., a subsidiary of Qualcomm Incorporated, operates, along with its subsidiaries, substantially all of our engineering, research and development functions, and substantially all of our products and services businesses, including our QCT semiconductor business.

About NTT DOCOMO

NTT DOCOMO, Japan’s leading mobile operator with over 80 million subscriptions, is one of the world’s foremost contributors to 3G, 4G and 5G mobile network technologies. Beyond core communications services, DOCOMO is challenging new frontiers in collaboration with a growing number of entities (“+d” partners), creating exciting and convenient value-added services that change the way people live and work. Under a medium-term plan toward 2020 and beyond, DOCOMO is pioneering a leading-edge 5G network to facilitate innovative services that will amaze and inspire customers beyond their expectations. DOCOMO is listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange (9437). https://www.nttdocomo.co.jp/english/.