-
An NTT DoCoMo exec told Silverlinings that a software upgrade path to 5G-A and 6G is essential
-
The operator doesn't want to invest in a new core for 6G
-
5G-A upgrades will include faster uplink for enterprises
An NTT DoMo executive told Silverlinings at the Brooklyn 6G Summit (B6GS) that the whole cloud native software-driven path is going to continue as operators move from 5G to 6G by the start of the next decade.
“The software upgraded migration from 5G to 6G is essential for operators,” he declared.
Silverlinings spoke to Takehiro Nakamura, chief standardization officer at NTT DoCoMo in a student library at the downtown Brooklyn branch of the NYU Tandon Engineering School. Much like AT&T’s Christopher Sambar, who spoke at the same event, Nakamura eschewed the idea of massive spend on network upgrades for 6G.
In fact, Nakamura said that the NTT DoCoMo would deploy 6G on a 5G core.
“We don’t want to invest in a new core,” Nakamura stated. “That’s kind of a common understanding among operators.”
Obviously, NTT DoCoMo will need to upgrade the radio access network (RAN) part of 6G if sub-terahertz (THz) networks become part of the standard. Much like millimeter wave (mmWave) for 5G, many of the academics at the B6GS were keen on using the high-band technology for indoor IoT-type networks with insanely high data rates.
The so-called sub-THz networks, running at between 100 GHz to 300 GHz, will require new spectrum to be opened up as well as new radio equipment. So, it will take time and government support to roll out the sub-THz.
Nakamura notes that mmWave — running at 24 GHz, 28 GHz, or higher — has started to become more useful to DoCoMo. The operator said that it is dedicated to deploying mmWave in stadiums, event spaces and other indoor venues.
5G-A first?
Before 6G, DoCoMo has to move through 5G-Advanced first. Nakamura expects this will start in 2024 and 2025. “We can upgrade to 5G-Advanced very smoothly...a software upgrade can be applied,” he said. “We don’t need to apply all of the 5G-Advanced features.”
“Especially for the enterprise business improvement of the uplink performance should be essential,” Nakamura stated.
It should be noted that when talking to us Nakamura said that opinions were his own and may not represent the corporate views of NTT DoCoMo.
Interested in debating and discussing the challenges of 5G and the cloud with your peers? Meet up in Sonoma, Calif., from Dec. 6-7 for our Cloud Executive Summit.