Continue to Refine Telecommunications, the Foundation of KDDI's "Power to Connect"
Telecommunication is now integrated into all industries and people's lives, becoming an increasingly indispensable part of social infrastructure.
Since the introduction of 5G in 2020, KDDI has been actively expanding the 5G connectivity infrastructure to enhance everyday life for our customers. By March 2024, the number of 5G base stations have expanded to approximately 94,000 (including about 39,000 Sub6 base stations). Moreover, we have improved the output of Sub6 base stations and optimized the antenna angles, which will expand the Sub6 coverage area by approximately 2.8 times, mainly in the Kanto region, to achieve high-speed communication. Furthermore, by utilizing SpaceX's Starlink, KDDI is working to expand au's coverage to mountainous regions and island areas, where installing base stations is difficult.
The evolution of our communication network is also crucial. The number of base stations and the variety of equipment in 5G services are enormous, so the response methods for faults have become more complex in turn. By automating these complex processes, we aim to create a telecommunications network that remains connected at all times. Moreover, in anticipation of an era where AI usage becomes standard, we are promoting the virtualization and openness of telecommunication facilities and accelerating the integration of AI technology into network operations. Through these efforts, we are advancing initiatives to evolve communications networks into ones that are even more flexible and reliable.
To provide high-speed and stable telecommunications services in busy areas such as downtowns, stations, and stadiums, where an increase in telecommunications traffic is anticipated, KDDI is working on utilizing the higher-frequency band known as "millimeter waves," which can transmit more information. Given the characteristics of millimeter waves-specifically, their limited range and their vulnerability to obstacles such as buildings— KDDI is developing technology to efficiently deploy millimeter-wave technology in designated areas. The goal is to achieve practical implementation by fiscal 2025..
To expand au's coverage across Japan, including mountainous and island regions, KDDI aims to fully launch direct communication services between Starlink satellites and au smartphones around spring 2025. KDDI is helping to develop regulations related to radio waves by actively providing technical information. In October 2024, a successful demonstration test was conducted, and in December 2024, KDDI received a license from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications to implement the service.
To appropriately respond to the continuously increasing telecommunications traffic and diversifying demands for telecommunications quality, the next-generation network needs to be capable of expansion in a flexible and agile way. KDDI is promoting the virtualization and openness of its network infrastructure, constructing a "scale-out network" that offers high flexibility and reliability while incorporating the latest technologies.
Through international standardization activities, KDDI is promoting the practical application of advanced technologies, integrating them into the telecommunications network, and advancing a sustainable cycle of operation and maintenance. To ensure that KDDI's telecommunications network maintains international compatibility, we participate in de jure standardization activities including those organized by the ITU. This helps to establish frameworks and to refine domestic regulations. Moreover, to continually evolve the telecommunications network through promoting network virtualization and openness, KDDI actively participates in standardization in industry organizations and forums such as GSMA, 3GPP, O-RAN, and TIP.